With reference to Attorney General of India, consider following statements 

1. He is not a member of Central Cabinet
2. He is not eligible to vote in the Parliament
3. He is not part of the Union Executive
4. He is not debarred from private legal practice

Select the correct statement.

• The AG is not a member of the Central cabinet.  There  is  a  separate  law minister  in  the  Central  cabinet  to  look  after  legal  matters  at  the  government level. Hence statement 1st is correct.
• He  has  the  right  to speak  and  to  take  part  in  the  proceedings  of  both  the Houses  of  Parliament  or their  joint  sitting  and  any  committee  of  the  Parliament  of  which  he  may  be named a member, but without a right to vote. Hence statement 2nd is correct.
• Articles  52  to  78  in  Part  V  of  the  Constitution  deal  with  the  Union executive. The Union executive consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the council of ministers and the attorney general of India. Hence statement 3rd is incorrect.
• He is appointed by the President of India on advice of Union Cabinet under Article 76(1) of the Constitution and holds office during the pleasure of the President. 
• The Attorney General is not a full-time counsel for the Government.  He does not fall in the category of government servants. Further, he is not debarred from private legal practice. Hence statement 4th is correct

Why this in news?

• Recently, Ashok Desai (1942-2020), former Attorney General of India and senior advocate passed away after a brief illness. He was the Solicitor General of India from December 1989 to December 1990. He served as Attorney General of India from July 1996 to May 1998.?
• He dealt with several landmark cases including decriminalisation of homosexuality, Narmada dam, Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act in Assam, and the Vineet Narain case on investigation into corruption allegations against top public officials.

By: Shubham Tiwari