Opposition boycotts adoption of Bill

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Assembly passed the Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualifications) Amendment Bill in the absence of UDF members on Tuesday.

The UDF members led by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala boycotted the fag end of the sitting saying that they could not be part of the proceedings to adopt the Bill.

The Bill seeks to prevent disqualification of a member of the House under the Constitution for holding an office of profit in government if he is appointed as chairman of proposed Administrative Reforms Commission.

The Bill was reported by the Subject Committee with dissent notes by Mr. Chennithala, P. K. Kunhalikutty (Muslim League) and Oommen Chandy. They observed that the legislation was meant merely for political accommodation of veteran political leader V. S. Achuthanandan.

Law Minister A. K. Balan, who piloted the Bill, said that the Commission was proposed to be formed because fundamental changes were needed in administration. The expense arising out of appointment of the Commission would not even come to a fraction of sums wasted by previous administration on 21 ministers, Government Chief Whip and their staff and amenities. From day one, the present government was advocating financial discipline by measures such as reduction of number of ministers and their personal staff.

Participating in the debate on the Bill, Mr. Chennithala said that the Bill had the objective ending factionalism in the CPI (M) by accommodating Mr. Achuthanandan in a post with Cabinet rank. It was part of a strategy of the CPI (M) polit bureau and State Committee to silence Mr. Achuthanandan.

The Constitutional provision against legislators holding offices of profit was aimed at preventing the executive from influencing legislators by offering them positions, and the people’s representatives forgetting their commitment to people. Any legislation to exempt legislators from the provision was to be considered with restraint, caution and care.

Noting that the legislation was not in public interest, the Opposition Leader recalled that the CPI (M) had never supported a legislation to exempt legislators from the Constitutional provision until now. Mr. Achuthanandan was a person who had opposed P. C. George holding the office of Government Chief Whip as it was an office of profit with personal staff. Now large number of people would be appointed as personal staff to Mr. Achuthanandan. “This is a fierce fall for VS. It is aimed to keep his mouth shut.”

Highlighting that the Bill had no financial memorandum, Mr. V. T. Balram (Congress) said that none would believe that no expense would arise out of the legislation. Mr. K. C. Joseph (Congress) said the Bill was immoral.

Mr. S. Sarma (CPI-M) said that legislation was being brought with good intentions. However, the Opposition was trying to tarnish the image of Mr. Achuthanandan over that.

He recalled that previous administrative reforms commissions had made significant contributions.

Mr. Achuthanandan was also absent when the House passed the Bill.