New Delhi: The union cabinet yesterday approved amendments to the Representation of the People Act to negate a recent order by the apex court on immediate disqualification of convicted lawmakers and barring them from contesting if under arrest, sources said.
According to the sources, the amendment proposes that a lawmaker would not be disqualified if convicted but would lose his right to vote along with perks and privileges including salary.
The second amendment states that a lawmaker would not lose his right to vote if under arrest even for a short duration and thereby would retain his right to contest a poll.
The Supreme Court had ruled that MPs or legislators will stand disqualified from the membership of the house from the date of conviction in a trial court for a period of over two years. IANS
