OoP Bill had 'no shortcomings': Law minister

Ahead of its re-enactment in Parliament, the government Monday said that the Office of Profit Bill sent to the President earlier was "correct" and had "no shortcomings -- legal or constitutional".

"We categorically want to state that the Bill which was sent to the President after having been passed by both Houses of Parliament was correct and it had no shortcomings - legal or constitutional," Union Law Minister H R Bhardwaj told a BBC Hindi programme. President A P J Abdul Kalam had on May 30 returned the Bill, passed by Parliament in the last session, with several suggestions, including a "fair and reasonable" exemption criteria under the legislation which provides for exclusion of 56 posts from the list of offices of profit.

The Union Cabinet on Satuday decided to reintroduce the Bill in Parliament in the same form during the current session. Bhardwaj said the government respected the veiws of the President and would discuss them during the debates in both Houses.

"It has been respectfully conveyed to the President that suggestions given by him would be discussed in Parliament. His message would be read out in Parliament and discussion on the Bill will be centred on it."

Rejecting the Opposition charge that the government had decided to reintroduce the Bill in its present form under pressure from the Left parties, he said, "We have already made an offer to the Opposition that if it wants, we are ready for a detailed debate in the House."