Now, 'offices of profit' Bill in Jharkhand Assembly

The state cabinet has approved the introduction of the Jharkhand Legislature (removal of disqualifications) Bill, 2006 in the Assembly for legislation.

Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swaroop said the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening and the bill would go to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi for his approval before being laid in the Assembly to replace the Bihar Legislature (removal of disqualification) Act 1950.

The cabinet decision came in the background of the Opposition questioning whether certain MLAs of the ruling NDA in the state were holding 'offices of profit'.

The Opposition had on Wednesday sought to discuss through an adjournment motion, the issue, but the proposal was rejected by Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari who said that the Assembly was not the proper forum to discuss such matters.

A UPA delegation also met the Governor last night and submitted a memorandum urging him to look into whether the posts held by BJP MLAs Karia Munda, Chhatruram Mahto, Saryu Roy and JD (U) member Khiru Mahto could be called as offices of profit, leader of Opposition Sudhir Mahto (JMM), told reporters.

Karia Munda heads the 20-point Programme Implementation Committee, Chhatruram Mahto heads the State Agriculture Marketing Board, Saryu Roy holds the post of Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board and Khiru Mahto holds a post in the Mines Board.