The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025:
The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
- It is a Bill seeking to amend Article 75 (Union Ministers), Article 164 (State Ministers), and Article 239AA (NCT of Delhi).
- It Also proposes amendments in the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
- Objective:
- To ensure that Ministers holding high constitutional offices remain beyond suspicion.
- To protect constitutional morality, good governance, and public trust.
- To prevent misuse of office by Ministers under custody for serious criminal charges.
Key Features of the Bill:
- If a Minister (including PM/CM) is arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with 5 years or more, they must vacate office.
- Removal shall be effected by the President (at Centre), Governor (in States), or Lieutenant Governor (in UTs), based on procedure.
- The PM must advise the President to remove such a Minister by the 31st day.
- If not, the Minister automatically ceases to hold office from the following day.
- The provision does not bar reappointment of the Minister after release from custody.
- Similar provisions proposed for State Cabinets and Union Territories through amendments in corresponding laws.
- Ministers facing serious charges may thwart constitutional morality and erode public faith in governance.
- Aim is to keep executive positions free from “any ray of suspicion”.
