In a huge relief for cricket-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Advocate General has said he can continue his work on TV show while holding a ministerial position in Punjab government.
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.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has received the report of the advocate general and said there was no hindrance 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, 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.
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 a 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 or the State Government.
“Hence the continuation of such work would not invite the disqualification of holding of an office of profit.”
However, prominent legal experts have earlier expressed their concerns over potential ethicality over Sidhu’s insistence on continuing his television career while holding a ministerial position in the cabinet, saying a minister was required to be available to the public 24/7.
The issue has dominated much of the time ever since the new Punjab government has taken office.
Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh had referred this matter to the top law officer of Punjab to check the legality of Sidhu’s double role as a minister and a TV show judge.
“What I do after 6 pm should be no one’s business,” Sidhu had earlier responded to questions regarding this.
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