Author:
Publication: Indo-Asian News Service
Date: June 9, 2004
The opposition National Democratic
Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday objected to the Government's decision giving
Congress President Sonia Gandhi access to its files.
Talking to reporters outside Parliament
House in New Delhi, NDA Convener George Fernandes termed as "unacceptable"
and an "attempt to bypass the constitution" the access Gandhi has been
given to Government files.
Gandhi is chairperson of the ruling
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by her party.
The Government accorded her Cabinet
rank by conferring on her the post of chairperson of the National Advisory
Council, which will oversee implementation of programmes mentioned in the
agenda for governance.
Law Minister HR Bhardwaj had gone
on record stating that Gandhi had been conferred Cabinet status so that
no one objected to her having access to Government files.
"To my mind, Government files can
be seen only by someone who has taken an oath. Any such thing means breaking
the constitution," Fernandes contended.
"For any person, who has not taken
an oath, to see files is unacceptable. It is an attempt to bypass what
the constitution has laid down," he said.
Media reports quoting Bhardwaj on
Wednesday said Gandhi could call for any Government file as she had been
given the rank of a Cabinet minister.
http://hindustantimes.com/news/181_814582,0008.htm
THIRD SCHEDULE
[Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), 148(2),
164(3), 188 and 219]
Forms of Oaths or Affirmations
I
Form of oath of office for a Minister
for the Union:- "I, A.B., do (swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm)
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India
as by law established, [that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity
of India,] .1that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties
as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people
in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour,
affection or ill-will."
II
Form of oath of secrecy for a Minister
for the Union:- "I, A.B., do (swear in the name of God /solemnly affirm)
that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person
or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or
shall become known to me as a Minister for the Union except as may be required
for the due discharge of my-duties as such Minister." http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/const/shed03.html
