Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday, 10 November 2011: Governor MOH Farook today signed the ordinance brought by the state government to exempt the posts of Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan and Government Chief Whip PC George from the list of ‘office of profit’.

The cabinet meeting held yesterday had decided to bring an ordinance on office of profit. A petition seeking disqualification of George as an MLA on the ground that he is holding an office of profit as the chief whip of UDF was submitted by Sebastian Paul to the Governor in July.

The Governor has referred the petition to the Election Commission.
Chief Minister had informed that he had given a clean chit to the VS Achuthanandan and PC George based on legal advice.

Several complaints were lodged against Government Chief Whip P.C. George as Member of the Legislative Assembly as the he holds office of profit under the State government.

It is alleged that Chief Whip is an ‘office of profit’ which entitles the holder to receive salary, allowances, and other benefits that are applicable to the post of Minister and are paid by the government.