The Indian government is planning to repeal a 65-year-old law that disqualifies MPs for holding office of profit and introduce a new one aligned with current needs. The draft bill proposes to simplify the existing law, remove the negative list of offices that cause disqualification, and address conflicts with other statutes. It also seeks to empower the central government to amend the schedule of offices by issuing a notification, replacing the existing provision for temporary suspension of disqualification.
Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as Vice President, an election to appoint his successor must be held 'as soon as possible' according to the Constitution. The article details the constitutional provisions regarding the election, term, and responsibilities of the Vice President.
The effective strength of both the Houses together is 786 and the winning candidate will require 394 votes, considering that all eligible voters exercise their franchise.
The INDIA bloc is set to field a joint candidate for the upcoming vice presidential elections. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is engaging with opposition parties to identify potential candidates and build consensus. The decision reflects a unified front among opposition parties aiming to send a strong political message.
The election for the post of Vice President will be held on September 9, with the notification being issued on August 7 and the last date for filing nominations on August 21.
The Election Commission of India has initiated the process to hold the vice presidential election following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation. The electoral college is being constituted, and the election schedule will be announced soon.
Soren's comment comes in the wake of the governor saying on October 27 that he has sought a "second opinion" in the case and claimed that an "atom bomb could explode any time in Jharkhand", apparently indicating to his pending decision in the matter.
Aland Congress MLA B R Patil resigned as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political advisor, alleging he was not receiving grants due to the pre-poll guarantee schemes. Patil, who held the position since December 29, 2023, said he was unable to do anything for his constituency or address any other issues. He also cited the office of profit issue as a reason for his resignation.
Amid opposition call for his resignation over the Beed sarpanch murder case, Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde on Wednesday said he is ready to quit if asked by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
A former cricketer, Devajit Saikia represented Assam in four first-class matches during the 1990s before transitioning to cricket administration.
To a question, he also pointed out that the President has 'no discretion' on the issue and is 'bound' by the recommendation of the poll watchdog.
The Centre on Thursday said that the expression 'office of profit' has not been defined in "any law".
The Central government had earlier in the day introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha despite stiff opposition from the National Democratic Alliance.
The Assembly session would be held as planned and the Bill would be tabled in the House, Transport Minister N Chaluvaraya Swamy told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
The October 28 decision of the President rejecting the plea is based on an opinion rendered by the Election Commission, the poll panel said.
The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act.
Returning the Office of Profit bill was the most difficult decision President A P J Abdul Kalam made during his tenure in the country's highest office.
There are many cases pending in this regard with the Election Commission, which had recommended Bachchan's disqualification.
After a lull of more than a year, the Supreme Court on Tuesday commenced the hearing to examine the constitutional validity of the controversial amendment to the law on Office of Profit with those against it accusing the government of "starting a dangerous trend".
Unfazed by the President's action in returning the Office of Profit Bill, the government on Wednesday said it will re-present the legislation that seeks to exempt several posts from being considered office of profit in Parliament.
Congress has hit out at the BJP-led NDA over its decision to oppose the bill on office of profit,
The legislation was sent to Kalam on August one after Parliament re-enacted it without any changes.
The controversial Office of Profit Bill, returned by the President for reconsideration, was on Thursday passed by Rajya Sabha.
The BJP has said it wants to spread awarness on this issue.
Official sources said no decision had been taken by Kalam so far
The Election Commission on Monday empowered the returning officers to reject nominations on ground of a candidate holding an "office of profit" at the stage of the scrutiny.
The Election Commission has exonerated 12 legislators belonging to the ruling Mizo National Front on the issue of holding offices of profit.
The motion has already been approved by the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said earlier that the Cabinet would take a decision on the issue in a day or two.
Referring to the 27 per cent quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions, Kalam said this could be tackled by increasing seats in medical and management colleges.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought to know the stand of the Centre referring a petition, challenging the constitutional validity of the amendment to the law on the Office of Profit, to a Constitution Bench.
Rejecting P A Sangma's claim and objection, the government on Monday said that the United Progressive Alliance nominee Pranab Mukherjee resigned as the chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute a week before he filed his nomination in the President's election and does not not hold any office of profit.
A bench comprising Mr Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia made the notices returnable within eight weeks.
All offices involving executive decision-making and control of public funds shall be treated as offices of profit.
Prior to the Cabinet meeting, Gandhi had a meeting with senior Congress leaders at her residence amidst reports that she was averse to inclusion of NAC Chairmanship in the proposed law.
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