Parliamentary panel defers report on Bill for automatic removal of PM, CMs from office
The Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill has deferred the adoption of its draft report. The Bill proposes the automatic removal of a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister after 30 consecutive days in judicial custody for serious offenses. Despite voting on two recommendations, the panel decided more consultations were needed due to the Bill's far-reaching impact. Opposition members, including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule, had submitted dissent notes, arguing that automatic removal based on a 30-day incarceration period is arbitrary, weaponizes the criminal justice system for political vendetta, and disregards the constitutional status of elected representatives.
Key Points
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee deferred the adoption of its report on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill.
- The Bill proposes automatic removal of PMs, CMs, or Ministers after 30 days in judicial custody for serious offenses.
- The panel decided more consultations are necessary due to the Bill's significant implications.
- Opposition members argued that the 30-day incarceration period for removal is arbitrary and politicizes the criminal justice system.
- The draft report had recommended replacing "removal" with "suspension" and defining "serious criminal offenses" as those punishable by five years or more imprisonment.
Exam Facts
- Bill name: Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill.
- Panel head: BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi.
- Opposition members: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule.
- Proposed incarceration period for automatic removal: 30 consecutive days.
- "Serious criminal offenses" proposed definition: punishable by five years or more imprisonment.
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