M A I N   N E W S

Govt to curb bulk defections
Size of ministries to be restricted

New Delhi, April 23
In major political reforms, the Union Cabinet tonight decided to curb bulk defections through legal splits by amending the anti-defection law and bring in a constitution amendment to restrict the size of ministries at the Centre and in the states by fixing an upper limit of 10 per cent of the House strength.

The Cabinet also decided to bring in a constitution amendment Bill to make the 2001 census as the basis for the ongoing delimitation of parliamentary and Assembly constituencies.

Briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said all three relevant Bills would be brought in during the current session of Parliament.

The Bill amending the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) would seek to delete para three of the Schedule, pertaining to exemption from disqualification in case of splits.

Ms Swaraj said under the new provision, if any MP or MLA voted against the party whip, he would stand disqualified.

On restricting the size of ministries, Ms Swaraj said the government had decided to bring in a constitution amendment Bill to ensure a maximum ceiling of 10 per cent of the total strength of either unicameral or bicameral House.

However, in case of a smaller House like Sikkim, Mizoram or Goa, having less than 40 members, a maximum of seven ministers was proposed.

On the delimitation exercise, Ms Swaraj said the government had decided to bring in a constitution amendment Bill to provide for readjustment of parliamentary and Assembly constituencies based on the census of 2001. PTI