Karnataka Council passes Office-of-Profit Bill

HK Patil, VR Sudarshan and others suggested that the bill be referred to a joint select committee.

The Karnataka Legislative Council on Friday passed the Karnataka Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill 2006 in the absence of the opposition Congress which staged a walkout demanding that the bill be referred to a joint select committee.

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Minister for Home and Parliamentary Affairs MP Prakash, outlining the objectives of the bill, said it was modelled on the lines of the Office of Profit bill enacted by the Centre and was necessary to protect the interest of some legislators who have been holding some offices of profit.

Opposition Congress Leader HK Patil, VR Sudarshan and others suggested that the bill be referred to a joint select committee, which the government turned down.

Patil alleged that the government was rushing through the bill to protect some persons belonging to the ruling party and demanded that Prakash spell out the names of such MLAs.

The House later approved the bill, which was passed by the state Assembly on Thursday.