CM CONFIRMS HE HAS RECEIVED AG’S REPORT CONCLUDING NO VIOLATION OF LAW
Chandigarh, March 23
Punjab Advocate
General Atul Nanda has not found any conflict of interest between Navjot Singh
Sidhu’s office as state cabinet minister and his work on television shows.
Chief Minister Captain
Amarinder Singh has confirmed that he has received the report of the advocate
general on the issue, according to Raveen Thukral, Media Advisor to the Chief
Minister. In the circumstances, the chief minister said, there was no hindrance
now to Sidhu’s continuation on TV shows, nor any need to change his Culture
portfolio.
There was, in the
opinion of the advocate general, no violation of the Constitution of India, the
Representation of the People Act, 1951, or the Code of Conduct in this
case. As per the advocate general’s opinion, Sidhu “faces no legal bar in
continuing with his work on the show.”
“There is no conflict
of interest between his work on the show and his office and discharge of duties
as the Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archives and
Museums for the State of Punjab,” the four-page report of the advocate general
further concludes, precluding the need for any change in the Culture portfolio
of Sidhu, said Thukral.
The advocate general
was entrusted by the chief minister with the task of giving his legal opinion
on whether there was any prohibition or restriction in the continuation of
Sidhu’s work as celebrity guest on a comedy show – The Kapil Sharma Show, as
such work may amount to a conflict of interest.
Citing the
Constitution, the report concluded that the role and function of celebrity
judge on the show is not an office of profit under the Government of India/ the
State Government. It is not even an office under the Government of India/ State
Government, it further said, adding, “Hence the continuation of such work would
not invite the disqualification of holding of an office of profit within the
meaning of Article 191(1).”
