Rajya Sabha passes Office of Profit Bill

The controversial Office of Profit Bill has been passed despite stiff resistance from the BJP and other NDA partners.

The controversial Office of Profit Bill, which would help save the membership of over 40 members including some union ministers, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday despite stiff resistance from the BJP and other NDA partners.

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The Bill, sent for reconsideration by President APJ Abdul Kalam on May 30, weeks after it was passed by Parliament, was approved with 98 voting in favour and 49 against, with Government assuring that it was ready to constitute a committee to go into the ticklish office of profit issue in detail.

The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2006, which seeks to exempt about 56 posts, also saw an amendment moved by Trinamool Congress member Dinesh Trivedi being vetoed with 53 for and 97 against.

The Bill, earlier passed in May, had led to a major political controversy with Congress President Sonia Gandhi being targeted by the Opposition leading to her quitting Lok Sabha and seeking re-election.

Jaya Bachchan, whose disqualification earlier this year on the Office of Profit issue, triggered the controversy, was back in the House this week after being re-elected

The Bill was piloted by Law Minister HR Bharadwaj.