New Delhi, 26 May (H.S.): The Supreme Court has declined to hear a petition challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to grant cabinet status to members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant allowed the petitioner to approach the High Court with a review petition.

The petitioner, Suri Payala, works with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. In his petition, he has challenged the Karnataka government’s order dated March 4, under which 42 public representatives, including members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, were granted cabinet status as heads of various boards and corporations.

The petition stated that granting cabinet status to these representatives provides them with additional financial benefits such as higher salaries, government vehicles, drivers, fuel allowances, and house rent allowances. It argued that these constitute “offices of profit” and violate Article 191 of the Constitution.

The petitioner had earlier challenged the decision before the Karnataka High Court. However, the High Court dismissed the plea, observing that it was not genuinely in public interest and appeared to be motivated by personal interest in securing certain positions, without full disclosure in the petition.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar