It refers to reports about Union government considering to further liberalise provision of disqualifying Parliamentarians for being on ‘Office of Profit’ by bringing more such offices under the exempted category.
Ideally elected representatives should not hold any office, because caring their own constituencies and electorates is in itself a much vital task. Even offices of Ministers may also be held office of profit so that only non-members having not contested any election in past six months may be appointed ministers. System will make Parliamentarians and legislators still higher status of ‘King Makers’. Elected representatives will then be serving as watchdogs to have watch on such appointed ministers, rather than lobbying themselves for lucrative ministerial chairs of power. Experts rather than corrupt politicians running politics as family-business, will be seated as ministers inducing efficiency and economy in administration.
Rather rule should be that elected representatives may have to leave all posts in party or private bodies if found guilty.
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi