BHOPAL: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government seeking information on nine ministers and 109 legislators allegedly holding office of profit.Based on a complaint filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the EC has sent a notice to chief secretary VP Singh asking for details on the 118 MLAs including the nine ministers and their appointment in Jan Bhagidari Samitis (Public Participation Committees) of government colleges. EC has asked for copies of notifications appointing the MLAs and details of benefits being received by them.On July 4 last year, a delegation of state AAP leaders met former Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and submitted a complaint alleging 118 MLAs including two ministers Paras Chandra Jain and Deepak Joshi were holding offices of profit. Subsequently, during the cabinet expansion seven more MLAs became ministers including Rustom Singh (public health), Archana Chitnis (women and child development), Jaibhan Singh Pavaiyya (higher education), Om Prakash Dhurve (food and civil supplies) and ministers of state Sanjay Pathak (MSME), Surya Prakash Meena (horticulture) and Lalita Yadav (minority welfare).Governor Yadav had asked for the view of the EC under provisions of article 192(2) which says, "Before giving any decision on any such question (disqualification of members), the Governor shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion."AAP had demanded the disqualification of the 118 MLAs under provisions of article 191(1)(a) and 192 of the Constitution and Representation of People Act 1951. AAP had claimed that minister for energy Paras Chandra Jain and minister of state for school education Deepak Joshi were holding office of profit since they were also appointed as commissioners of Scouts and Guides. The rest 116 were holding positions in Jan Bhagidari Samitis.Speaking to reporters, minister for revenue Umashankar Gupta said, "No one is receiving any benefit from these appointments. And minister for school education is always appointed commissioner of Scouts and Guides. But since an explanation has been sought, then government will give a reply."In a letter dated June 12, the EC first asked for details of office of profit held by Paras Chandra Jain and Deepak Joshi. In another letter, it asked for details of benefits received by ministers and legislators holding positions in Jan Bhagidari Samitis. The matter has come to light in the state, four days after EC rejected pleas of 21 AAP MLAs in Delhi to shelve the office of profit cases registered against them.

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