The Hindu : Govt. to consult parties on court fiat to EC

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 19, 2002

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Govt. to consult parties on court fiat to EC

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI June 18. The Union Cabinet today decided to consult all political parties before taking a decision on the Supreme Court's recent directive to make it mandatory for candidates standing for elections to Parliament and Assembly to furnish an affidavit that detailed the assets held by them and their family members and declared whether they were ever convicted for any criminal offences, and if they had any liability to a public financial institution.

The Supreme Court had issued the directive to the Election Commission and it, in turn, took the stand that it would be better if instead of an affidavit, the Government modified the nomination forms themselves through an amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules. The poll panel's argument was that the change in the Rules would be better as it would have "the full backing of the statute'', which might not be the case if the panel were to issue the order as suggested by the Supreme Court.

The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, wrote a detailed letter to the Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, on the issue and it was accompanied by a set of draft nomination papers incorporating the details required under the Supreme Court directive.

Briefing reporters at the end of the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Jaitley said it was decided to consult all the political parties as it was felt that the matter lay in the political domain and it may involve changes in law instead of a mere modification of Rules.

The Cabinet also decided to set up a Central Manpower Export Promotion Council and a fund for the welfare of Indians working overseas. The Labour Minister would be the chairperson of the Council, the Labour Secretary its Vice-Chairperson, and Protector General of Emigrants its Member-Secretary. In addition, the Government would appoint 18 persons as members. The Council would play the role of an advisory promotional body in the area of manpower export.

The new Indian Overseas Welfare Fund would primarily be used for three purposes — providing assistance in case the workers became disabled, arranging of return tickets for those who get stranded in foreign countries and to meet the transportation costs in case any worker died abroad.

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to invest $ 750 dollars (Rs. 3,750 crores) for acquiring in full the 25 per cent equity share held by the Canadian company, Talisman's subsidiary in the Greater Nile Oil Project in Sudan, subject to a minimum return of 14 per cent.

Announcing the Cabinet decision, Petroleum Minister, Ram Naik, noted that the project was already producing oil at the rate of 12 million tonnes per year, which was equal to the production of the Mumbai High field. India would start getting 25 per cent of the production immediately after the contract for acquiring the Canadian firm's share was signed.

Asked whether India was not taking a big risk considering that the Canadian firm itself was selling its share mainly because of the civil war condition in the region where the oil field was, Mr. Naik said all factors had been taken into consideration and it was found that it was an economically viable proposition.

The investment would be insured by a World Bank recognised agency.

The entire investment would be recovered in about five to six years, he added.

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