New Delhi
In an effort to clean up corrupt practices in public life, moves are afoot to create a permanent institutional mechanism to monitor the assets and sources of income of legislators, their spouses and associates and also to take action, including disqualification of membership, in case of undue accretion.

Several months after the Supreme Court ordered such a set-up, a meeting attended by senior officials of Parliament, Central Government, Election Commission of India and 20 state legislatures held discussions on how to implement it, sources said.

In the Lok Prahari versus Union of India case, the apex court in February directed the creation of a permanent institutional mechanism to continuously monitor assets and sources of income of legislators, spouses and associates, including dependents.

It also asked for appropriate action in case of a disproportionate increase in assets during the tenure of membersh-ip, including disqualification.
Participants pointed out that while there are rules in different legislatures requiring members to declare assets and liabilities soon after election, there is no provision to ensure compliance.

At the same time, there is no provision under any Act of Parliament or rules of respective legislatures to disqualify members in case of assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.