Ruchika M. Khanna
Chandigarh, March 25
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced his decision to give just one pension to all law makers. The family pension to MLAs, too, has been slashed.
The decision to reduce the pension was taken in view of many MLAs getting multiple pensions for each term that they serve as representatives of people in the Vidhan Sabha.
Lal Singh, Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal were getting monthly pension of Rs 3.25 lakh
Ravi Inder Singh, Balwinder Singh were getting a monthly pension of Rs 2.75 lakh
Had Akali Dal Supremo Parkash Singh Badal not announced to forego his pension, he would have got over Rs 5 lakh per month as pension.
This demand of “one MLA one pension” was also made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the last Vidhan Sabha, when the party was in the Opposition.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that politicians from across the political spectrum go to people with folded hands, seeking votes from people in the name of doing their “sewa”.
“But you will be shocked that those who have been elected MLAs for three, five or even six terms, have been taking away lakhs as pension. They don’t even come to the Vidhan Sabha. The pension they get varies from Rs 3.50 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh. This burdens the state exchequer. Some of these politicians have even served as members of Parliament and get that pension as well,” he said.
He said that the money thus saved will be used for the welfare of people.
“I have already asked the officers to reduce the family pensions of all lawmakers,” he added.
It may be noted that MLAs get a pension of Rs 75,150 for one term. For each subsequent term they serve, the MLAs in Punjab are given an additional 66 per cent of the pension amount.
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