New Delhi, December 11
Moving towards further electoral reforms the government has decided to bring in a Constitutional amendment to disallow defectors from holding office of profit till they win the next elections and peg the strength of the Council of Ministers to 15 per cent of the total number of members in Lok Sabha and state legislatures.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, talking to mediapersons here today about the Cabinet meeting held last night, said that the 97th Constitution (Amendment) Bill incorporating the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee would be introduced in the winter session of Parliament. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave its approval for the introduction of the Bill at the meeting.
“We will try and pass this
order to make recommendations for enacting suitable legislation relating to DNA profiling.
The committee would be chaired by a renowned molecular biologist and would have representatives from the field of molecular biology, forensic science, forensic medicine, human genetics, population biology, human rights, law, police, social activists and bio-ethic groups.
“A comprehensive legislation on the research, development and regulation should be ready in two years”, Ms Swaraj said.
In another significant decision government had decided to bring a National Youth Policy for the all-round development of youths.
The draft National Youth Policy 2003, formulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was approved by the Union Cabinet at its meeting.
The policy encompassing th key factors like education, training and employment, health, environment, sports and recreation, art and culture, science and technology and civics and citizenship would be laid in Parliament, Ms Swaraj said.
The policy defined the youth as in the age-group of 13 to 35 years and spells out the privileges as well as the responsibilities of youth and enumerates the ‘thrust areas’.
