## Policy Analysis Report: Disqualification Petition Regarding Puducherry Legislative Assembly Members
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an order issued by the President of India on April 13, 2022, regarding a petition seeking the disqualification of seven Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The core purpose of the Presidential order, based on the provided text, is to address a petition alleging that the MLAs held "Offices of Profit," which would disqualify them under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963. The key finding is that the Presidential order declares the petition infructuous due to the dissolution of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly. The Election Commission of India also returned the reference from the president as infructuous.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an overview and analysis of a Presidential order and related Election Commission opinion concerning a disqualification petition against Puducherry MLAs. The analysis is solely based on the information contained within the provided text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective is to determine whether seven MLAs of Puducherry held "Offices of Profit," thereby disqualifying them from their positions under Section 141a of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963. However, the final order focuses on addressing the petition's status after the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The text suggests that the rationale for the original petition stemmed from the MLAs holding positions as Chairpersons of various Boards and Corporations. The petitioner argued that facilities provided to these Chairpersons, such as telephones, vehicles, and personal staff, constituted benefits beyond "compensatory allowances," thus creating an "Office of Profit." The key issue is interpreting whether these benefits were permissible under the Puducherry Members of the Legislative Assembly Prevention of Disqualification Act, 1994, and Section 141a of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963. Ultimately, the reason for the presidential order is based on the dissolution of the legislative assembly rendering the petition useless.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This order effectively *closes* the matter of the disqualification petition due to the dissolution of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly.
* The specific aspect of the situation being changed is the *status* of the petition itself. The petitioner sought the disqualification of MLAs in a legislative assembly. The legislative assembly was dissolved.
* The *new* position is that the petition is considered "infructuous." The President, in exercise of powers under section 144 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, formally acknowledges this.
* The *effect* of this change is that no further action will be taken on the disqualification petition against the named individuals concerning their positions in the dissolved Legislative Assembly.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The direct stakeholders primarily include:
* The seven MLAs named in the petition (Shri R. Siva, Shri T. Dejamourthy, Shri MNR Balan, Smt. A. Geetha, Shri E. Theepainthan, Smt. V. Vizeaveny, Shri N. Danavelou)
* Dr. K.B. Vijayakumar (the petitioner)
* The Election Commission of India
* The President of India
* The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice.
* The People of Puducherry
A broader audience affected includes the political landscape and governance of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Election Commission of India provided an opinion on the matter. The President of India issued the final order. The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice is responsible for publishing the order.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The process involved a petition, forwarding of the petition to the President, referral to the Election Commission for an opinion, and a final decision by the President. Key dates mentioned include the date of the petition (25.01.2021), the referral to the Election Commission (19.02.2021), the imposition of President's Rule (25.02.2021), the announcement of General Elections (26.02.2021), the date of the election results (02.05.2021), and the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly (03.05.2021).
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of declaring the petition infructuous is to formally close the matter concerning the disqualification of the named MLAs within the context of the *previous* legislative assembly. The impact of this determination is that the matter is concluded; however, if these individuals were to hold similar positions in the future, new petitions could potentially be filed.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Presidential order addresses a specific petition regarding the alleged disqualification of Puducherry MLAs due to holding "Offices of Profit." The dissolution of the Legislative Assembly rendered the petition infructuous, leading to the order's issuance. This action concludes this particular case but does not necessarily set a precedent for future situations involving similar allegations against other members or in different contexts. The significance of the order lies in its formal acknowledgement of the changed circumstances and its resolution of a specific legal challenge.
Key Entities Referenced
Puducherry: Union territory in India, formerly known as Pondicherry. Focus of the disqualification case.
New Delhi: City in India, location of Ministry of Law and Justice, Election Commission of India and Government of India Press.
Ministry of Law and Justice Legislative Department: Governmental body that published the notification.
President of India: Constitutional head of state who made the order regarding the disqualification petition.
Ram Nath Kovind: President of India who exercised powers under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
Dr. K.B. Vijayakumar: Petitioner who submitted the disqualification petition before the Lt. Governor of Puducherry.
Lt. Governor of Puducherry: Official to whom the disqualification petition was submitted and who forwarded it to the President of India.
Election Commission of India: Constitutional body that provided its opinion on the disqualification of the members of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly.
Government of Union Territories Act, 1963: Law under which the disqualification was sought and under which the President acted.
Puducherry Legislative Assembly: Legislative body whose members were subject of the disqualification petition. Dissolved before the matter was resolved.
R. Siva: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson of PIPDIC.
T. Dejamourthy: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, Puducherry Planning Authority.
MNR Balan: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation.
A. Geetha: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, Puducherry Power Corporation Ltd.
E. Theepainthan: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, Puducherry Slum Clearance Board.
V. Vizeaveny: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, Puducherry Distilleries Limited.
N. Danavelou: Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly and Chairperson, PAPSCO.
Puducherry Members of the Legislative Assembly Prevention of Disqualification Act, 1994: Law related to disqualification of members of the Legislative Assembly.
Rajiv Kumar: Election Commissioner of India.
Sushil Chandra: Chief Election Commissioner of India
Anup Chandra Pandey: Election Commissioner of India
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-13042022-235132
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-13042022-235132
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1732] नई ददल्ली, ीुधिार, अप्रलै 13, 2022/चरालै 23, 1944
No. 1732] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022/CHAITRA 23, 1944
जिजध और न्य ाय तरालं ालय
(जिधायी जिभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई ददल् ली, 13 अप्रैल, 2022
का.आ. 1819(अ).—राष्टर पजत ाारा दकया गया जनम्न जलजखत आदेि सिवससाधारण क िानकारी के जलए प्रकाजित
दकया िाता ह:ै--
आदेि
नई ददल्ली, 31 ताचवस, 2022
यह याजचका पुडुचेरी के उपराज्य पाल के सत्ष तारीख 25.01.2021 क डा. के.ीी. जििय कुतार (जिसे इसत
इसके पश् चात "याची" कहा गया ह)ै ाारा प्रस्ट् तुत क गई थी जिसत याची ने पुडुचेरी संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल क जिधान सभा के 7
सदस्ट् यों अथावसत ी ी आर. जििा, ी ी टी. देिातूर्तत, ी ी एतएनआर ीालान, ी ीतती ए. गीता, ी ी ई. थीपायन् थन, ी ीतती
िी.जिज्यािेनी, ी ी एन. दानािेलऊ (जिन् ह इसत इसके पश्च ात "प्रत्य थी" कहा गया ह)ै क संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार
अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(1)(क) के अधीन 'लाभ का पद' धारण करन े के आधार पर जनरहतवस ा क तागं क गई ह।ै
और उक्त याजचका पुडुचेरी के उपराज्य पाल ाारा भारत के राष्टर पजत क पराल तारीख 02.02.2021 ाारा अेेज त
क गई थी और तत्प श् चात उक्त याजचका प्रत् यर्तथयों क अजभकजथत जनरहतवस ा के संींध त सघं राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत,
1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन भारत जनिावसचन आय ग क उसक राय क तांग करत े हुए तारीख 19.02.2021 क
जनर्ददष्ट ट क गई थी ।
2683 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
और याची ने यह कथन दकया ह ै दक पूिोक्त प्रत् यर्तथयों क जनयुजक्त अजधसूचना सं. 183 तारीख 03.11.2017 ाारा
जिजभन् न ी डडों और जनगतों के अ् य्ष ों के ूपप त क गई थी और सूचना का अजधकार उत् तर स.ं
52011/01/2021/डीपीएआर/सीसीडी(1) तारीख 19.01.2021 त पुडुचरे ी सरकार से प्राप् त सूचना त यह कथन दकया
गया ह ै दक प्रत् यर्तथयों ाारा धािरत पद पािरी जतक और भत्त े िाले पद नहथ थे ंकतु उन् ह टेली न, यान और जनिी
कतवसचािरिृंद िैसी सुजिधाएं प्रदान क गई थथ ।
और याची न े यह और कथन दकया ह ैदक पडु ुचेरी जिधानसभा सदस्ट् य (जनरहतवस ा जनिारण) अजधजनयत, 1994 स्ट् पष्टट
ूपप से यह कथन करता ह ै दक जिधान सभा सदस्ट् यों क िी ी डडों और जनगतों के अ् य्ष के ूपप त जनयुक्त दकया िाता ह,ै
ती िे उनके ाारा उपगत व् ययों के जलए प्रजतकरात् तक भत् तों के जसिाय दकसी भी ायदे के जलए हकदार नहथ ह ते ह ैं और
प्रत् यर्तथयों ाारा उपय ग क गई सुजिधां क ् यान त रखते हुए, उन् होंन े संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क
धारा 14(1)(क) के अधीन जनरहतवस ा उपगत क ह ै।
और भारत के राष्टर पजत न,े पडु ुचेरी संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल त अजधसचू ना का.आ. 891(अ), तारीख 25.2.2021 ाारा
राष्टर पजत िासन अजधर जपत दकया था । तत्पश् चात 26.2.2021 क , जनिावसचन आय ग ने 06.04.2021 क ह ने िाल े
ततदान क तारीख िाले प्रेस न ट सं.ईसीआई/पीएन/16/2021 ाारा पुडुचरे ी जिधान सभा के साधारण जनिावसचन क
घ णा क थी । िीदक ितवसतान जनदेि तातला आय ग के जिचाराधीन था, पूिोक्त जनिावसचन के पिरणात 02.05.2021 क
घ ज त दकए गए थे और पिू वस जिधान सभा पुडुचेरी के उपराज्य पाल ाारा रािपराल अजधसूचना सं.XIVएलएएस/
जिघटन/2021 तारीख 03.05.2021 ाारा जिघिटत कर दी गई थी ।
और भारत जनिावसचन आय ग न,े संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन इस आिय
क अपनी राय के साथ पूिोक्त जनदेि तारीख 19.02.2021 िापस लौटा ददया था दक जनदेि जनष्ट ल ह गया ह ै।
अत:, अी, भारत जनिावसचन आय ग ाारा दी गई राय के आल क त , तातले पर जिचार करन े के पश् चात, त,ैं रात
नाथ क विद, भारत का राष्टर पजत, संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन तुझे प्रदत् त िजक्त यों
का प्रय ग करत े हुए, यह अजभजनधावसिरत करता ह ूँ दक जिधानसभा के जिघटन क ् यान त रखते हुए याजचका जनष्ट ल ह गई
ह ै ।
31 ताच,वस 2022
भारत का राष्टर पजत
राष्ट्रपजत के आदेि का उपाीधं
भारत जनिाचवस न आय ग जनिाचवस न सदन
अि क र ड, नई ददल्ल ी-110001
2021 का जनदेि तातला स.ं 1(पी)
[सघं राज्य ्ष राले सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14 के अधीन भारत के ताननीय राष्टर पजत स ेजनदेि]
प्रजतजनदेि: 2021 का जनदिे तातला सं. 1(पी)-संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन भारत
के ताननीय राष्टर पजत से जनदेि प्राप् त हुआ ह ैजिसत संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा14(1)(क) के अधीन
पुडुचेरी जिधान सभा के 7 सदस्ट्य ों क अजभकजथत जनरहतवसा के प्रश् न पर भारत जनिावसचन आय ग क राय क तांग क गई ह ै।
राय
1. यह भारत के ताननीय राष्टर पजत से प्राप् त जनदेि तारीख 19.02.2021 ह ै जिसत सघं राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार
अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन भारत जनिावसचन आय ग क इस प्रश्न पर राय तांगी गई ह ै दक क्य ा पुडुचरे ी
जिधान सभा के जनम्न जलजखत 7 सदस्ट् य संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(1)(क) के अधीन जनरहतवस ा
से ेस्ट्त ह गए ह:ैं-[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपराल : असाधारण 3
क्र.स.ं नात जनिाचवस न ्ष राले धािरत पद
1. ी ी आर. जििा आरलेयातपेठ अ् य्ष , पीआईपीडीआईसी
2. ी ी टी.देिातूर्तत अरयंकुप् पत अ् य्ष , पुडुचेरी य िना प्राजधकरण
3. ी ी एतएनआर ीालान ओझुकराय अ् य्ष , पुडुचेरी पयवसटन जिकास जनगत
4. ी ीतती ए.गीता जनराव् य टी.आर.प्ीनात अ् य्ष , पुडुचेरी जिद्युत जनगत जलजतटेड
5. ी ी ई.थीपायन् थत औस्ट् सुडू अ् य्ष , पुडुचेरी स्ट्ल त क्ल ीयर स ी ड वस
6. ी ीतती िी. जिज्यािेनी नीजतपक् कत अ् य्ष , पुडुचेरी जडस्ट् रीलरीि जलजतटेड
7. ी ी एन. दािािेलउ ीाहौर अ् य्ष , पीएपीएससीओ
2. उक्त जनदेि त, जनरहतवस ा का प्रश्न पडु ुचेरी के ताननीय उपराज्य पाल के सत्ष डा.के.ीी. जििय कुतार (जिसे इसत
इसके पश् चात "याची" कहा गया ह)ै ाारा प्रस्ट् तुत याजचका तारीख 25.01.2021 से उत् पन्न हुआ जनरहतवस ा के प्रश्न , जिसत
याची न े 'लाभ का पद' धारण करन े के आधारों पर संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(1)(क) के अधीन
पूिोक्त पुडुचरे ी जिधानसभा सदस्ट् य (जिन् ह इसत इसके पश् चात "प्रत्य थी" कहा गया ह)ै क जनरहतवस ा क तांग क ह ै । उक्त
याजचका पुडुचेरी के ताननीय राज्य पाल ने भारत के ताननीय राष्टर पजत क पराल तारीख 02.02.2021 ाारा अेेज त क थी
और तत्प श् चात उसे संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(4) के अधीन आय ग क उसक राय के जलए
अेेज त दकया गया था ।
तथ्य :
3. याची न े यह कथन दकया ह ै दक पूिोक्त प्रत् यर्तथयों क अजधसूचना सं. 183, तारीख 3.11.2017 ाारा, ऊपर
सारणी त यथा उजल्ल जखत जिजभन् न ी डडों और जनगतों के अ् य्ष ों के ूपप त जनयुक्त दकया गया था और सूचना का अजधकार
उत् तर सं. 52011/01/2021/डीपीएआर/सीसीडी(1), तारीख 19.01.2021 त पडु ुचेरी सरकार से प्राप् त सूचना त यह
कथन दकया गया ह ै दक प्रत् यर्तथयों ाारा धािरत पद क ई पािरी जतक और भत् ते िाल े पद नहथ थ े दकन्त ु उन् ह टेली न, यान
और जनिी कतवसचािरिृंद िैसी सजु िधाएं उपलब् ध कराई गई थथ । याची ने यह और कथन दकया ह ै दक पुडुचेरी जिधान सभा
सदस्ट् य (जनरहतवस ा जनिारण) अजधजनयत, 1994 स्ट् पष्टट ुपप से यह कथन करता ह ै दक जिधान सभा सदस्ट् यों क िी ी डडों और
जनगतों के अ् य्ष के ूपप त जनयु्त दकया िाता ह ै ती िे, उनके ाारा उपगत व् ययों के जलए प्रजतकरात् तक भत् ता के जसिाय
दकसी भी ायदे के जलए हकदार नहथ ह ते ह ैंऔर प्रत् यर्तथयों ाारा उपय ग क गई सुजिधां क ् यान त रखते हुए, उन् होंन े
संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा 14(1)(क) के अधीन जनरहतवस ा उपगत क ह ै।
जिश्ल े ण:
4. 25.02.2021 क भारत के राष्टर पजत न े पडु ुचेरी संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल त अजधसूचना का.आ. 891(अ) ाारा राष्टर पजत
िासन अजधर जपत दकया था । तत्पश् चात 26.02.2021 क , आय ग न,े 6.04.2021 क ह ने िाले ततदान क तारीख
िाले प्रेस न ट सं.ईसीआई/पीएन/16/2021 ाारा पुडुचरे ी जिधान सभा के साधारण जनिावसचन क घ णा क थी । िीदक
ितवसतान जनदेि तातला आय ग के जिचाराधीन था, पूिोक्त जनिावसचनों के पिरणात 02.05.2021 क घ ज त दकए गए थ े
और पूिवस जिधान सभा, पुडुचरे ी के ताननीय उपराज्य पाल ाारा रािपराल अजधसूचना सं. XIV एलएएस/जिघटन/2021
तारीख 03.05.2021 ाारा जिघिटत कर दी गई थी ।
जनष्टक :वस
5. उपर क्त क ् यान त रखत े हुए, जनदेि तारीख 19.02.2021 क संघ राज्य ्ष ेराल सरकार अजधजनयत, 1963 क धारा
14(4) के अधीन आय ग के इस आिय क राय के साथ भारत के ताननीय राष्टर पजत क िापस लौटाया िाता ह ै दक जनदिे
जनष्ट ल ह गया ह ै।4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
ह0 ह0 ह0
रािीि कुतार सुिील चंद्रा अनूप चंद्र पाडं े
(जनिावसचन आयुक्त ) (तुख्य जनिावसचन आयुक्त ) (जनिावसचन आयुक्त )
स्ट् थान: नई ददल् ली
तारीख: 4.8.2021
[ ा. सं. एच-11026/5/2021-जि.2]
ददिाकर वसह, संयु्त सजचि और जिधायी परातिी
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th April, 2022
S.O. 1819(E).—The following Order made by the President is published for general information:-
ORDER
New Delhi, the 31st March, 2022
Whereas, a petition was submitted by Dr. K.B. Vijayakumar (hereinafter, “Petitioner”) on
25.01.2021 before the Lt. Governor of Puducherry, wherein the petitioner sought disqualification of 7
Members of the Legislative Assembly of Union territory of Puducherry, namely, Shri R. Siva,
Shri T. Dejamourthy, Shri MNR Balan, Smt. A. Geetha, Shri E. Theepainthan, Smt. V. Vizeaveny,
Shri N. Danavelou (hereinafter, “Respondents”) under section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union
Territories Act, 1963 on the ground of holding „Office of Profit‟.
And whereas, the said petition was forwarded by the Lt. Governor of Puducherry to the President
of India vide letter dated 02.02.2021 and thereafter, the said Petition was referred to the Election
Commission of India on 19.02.2021 seeking its opinion under section 14(4) of the Government of Union
Territories Act, 1963 on the alleged disqualification of the Respondents.
And whereas, the Petitioner has stated that the aforesaid Respondents were appointed as
Chairpersons of various Boards and Corporations vide Notification No. 183 dated 03.11.2017 and that the
information received from the Government of Puducherry in RTI reply No. 52011/01/2021/DPAR/CCD(1)
dated 19.01.2021 stated that the offices held by the Respondents did not carry any remuneration and
allowances but facilities such as telephones, vehicle and personal staff were provided.
And whereas, the Petitioner has further stated that the Puducherry Members of the Legislative
Assembly (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1994 unambiguously states that Members of Legislative
Assembly, when appointed as Chairman of Boards and Corporations, are not entitled to any benefits except
compensatory allowances for expenses incurred by them and that in view of the facilities enjoyed by the
Respondents, they have incurred disqualification under section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union
Territories Act, 1963.
And whereas, the President of India imposed President‟s Rule in the Union territory of Puducherry
vide Notification S.O. 891(E) dated 25.02.2021. Thereafter on 26.02.2021, the Election Commission
announced General Elections to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly vide Press Note No. ECI/PN/16/2021
with the date of poll being 06.04.2021. While the present reference case was under consideration of the
Commission, the results for the aforesaid election was announced on 02.05.2021 and the previous
Legislative Assembly was dissolved by the Lt. Governor of Puduchery vide Gazette Notification
No. XIV LAS/Dissolution/2021 dated 03.05.2021.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपराल : असाधारण 5
And whereas, the Election Commission of India returned the aforesaid reference dated 19.02.2021
with their opinion, under section 14(4) of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, to the effect that
the same has become infructuous.
Now, therefore, having considered the matter in the light of the opinion rendered by the Election
Commission of India, I, Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, in exercise of the powers conferred on me
under section 14(4) of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, do hereby hold that in view of the
dissolution of the Legislative Assembly, the Petition has become infructuous.
31st March, 2022
President of India
ANNEXURE TO THE ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN
ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI-110001
REFERENCE CASE NO. 1(P) OF 2021
[REFERENCE FROM THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 14 OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
UNION TERRITORIES ACT, 1963]
In re: Reference Case No. 1(P) of 2021- Reference received from the Hon’ble President of India under
Section 14(4) of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 seeking opinion of the Election
Commission of India on the question of alleged disqualification of 7 Members of Puducherry Legislative
Assembly under Section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
OPINION
1. This is a reference dated 19.02.2021 received from the Hon‟ble President of India seeking opinion
of the Election Commission of India under Section 14(4) of the Government of Union Territories Act,
1963, on the question whether the following 7 Members of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly have
become subject to disqualification under Section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union Territories Act,
1963:-
Sl. No. Name Constituency Office Held
1. Sh. R. Siva Orleampeth Chairperson, PIPDIC
2. Sh. T. Dejamourthy Ariankuppam Chairperson, Puducherry Planning
Authority
3. Sh. MNR Balan Ozhukarai Chairperson, Puducherry Tourism
Development Corporation
4. Smt. A. Geetha Neravy T.R. Pattinam Chairperson, Puducherry Power
Corporation Ltd
5. Sh. E. Theepainthan Oussudu Chairperson, Puducherry Slum Clearance
Board
6. Smt. V. Vizeaveny Nettipakkam Chairperson, Puducherry Distilleries
Limited
7. Sh. N. Danavelou Bahour Chairperson, PAPSCO
2. In the said reference, the question of disqualification arose out of a petition dated 25.01.2021
submitted by Dr. K.B. Vijayakumar (hereinafter, “Petitioner”), before the Hon‟ble Lt. Governor of
Puducherry wherein the Petitioner sought disqualification of the aforesaid Members of Puducherry6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
Legislative Assembly (hereinafter, “Respondents”), under Section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union
Territories Act, 1963 on grounds of holding „Offices of Profit‟. The said petition was forwarded by the
Hon‟ble Lt. Governor of Puducherry to the Hon‟ble President of India vide letter dated 02.02.2021 and the
same was subsequently forwarded to the Commission for its opinion under Section 14(4) of the
Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
FACTS:
3. The Petitioner has stated that the aforesaid Respondents were appointed as Chairpersons of various
Boards & Corporations, as mentioned in the table above, vide Notification No. 183 dated 03.11.2017 and
that the information received from the Government of Puducherry in RTI reply No.
52011/01/2021/DPAR/CCD(1) dated 19.01.2021 stated that the offices held by the Respondents did not
carry any remuneration and allowances but facilities such as telephones, vehicle and personal staff were
provided. The Petitioner further stated that the Pondicherry Members of the Legislative Assembly
(Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1994 unambiguously states that Members of Legislative Assembly,
when appointed as Chairmen of Boards and Corporations, are not entitled to any benefits except
compensatory allowance for expenses incurred by them and that in view of the facilities enjoyed by the
Respondents, they have incurred disqualification under Section 14(1)(a) of the Government of Union
Territories Act, 1963.
ANALYSIS:
4. On 25.02.2021, the President of India imposed President‟s Rule in the Union Territory of
Puducherry vide Notification S.O. 891(E). Thereafter on 26.02.2021, the Commission announced General
Elections to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly vide Press Note No. ECI/PN/ 16/2021 with the date of
poll being 06.04.2021. While the present reference case was under consideration of the Commission, the
results for the aforesaid elections were announced on 02.05.2021 and the previous Legislative Assembly
was dissolved by the Hon‟ble Lt. Governor of Puducherry vide Gazette Notification No. XIV
LAS/Dissolution/2021 dated 03.05.2021.
CONCLUSION:
5. In view of the above, the reference dated 19.02.2021 is hereby returned to the Hon‟ble President of
India with the Commission‟s opinion, under Section 14(4) of the Government of Union Territories Act,
1963, to the effect that the same has become infuctuous.
Sd/ Sd/ Sd/
RAJIV KUMAR SUSHIL CHANDRA ANUP CHANDRA PANDEY
(ELECTION COMMISSIONER) (CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER) (ELECTION COMMISSIONER)
PLACE : New Delhi
DATE : 04.08.2021
[F. No. H-11026/05/2021-Leg.II]
DIWAKAR SINGH, Jt
.
Secy
.
& Legislative Counsel
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.