'Office of profit' bill passed

The Karnataka legislature on Tuesday approved the Karnataka Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill 2006 providing for exempting 12 positions from falling under the 'office of profit' purview.

Law and parliamentary affairs minister Basavaraja Horatti piloted the bill at a special session of the legislative assembly. He contended that the state was following the Centre, which effected an Amendment to the central rules with regard to the 'office of profit' issue.

"It is binding on the states to make appropriate changes in the local law to complement the central change," he added.

According to the bill, some of the positions that have been exempted from the 'office of profit' purview are: deputy minister, parliamentary secretary, leader of the opposition, presidents and vice-presidents of municipalities, mayor, deputy mayor, presidents and vice-presidents of zilla panchayats and chairpersons and, members of government boards and corporations.