Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the tradition of taking the benefit for each term served will be phased out and Former MLAs will henceforth receive a pension for only one term.
For one term, an MLA receives a pension of roughly ₹75,000 per month. Following that, each successive period he/she receives an additional 66 per cent of the pension sum. Currently, more than 250 former MLAs are receiving pensions.
Punjab CM Mann said in a video message that ex-MLAs in Punjab will now earn a pension for one term only, regardless if they had won twice, five times, or ten times. Other MPs are also getting pensions for remaining MLAs before. He added further.
The money saved, according to the Chief Minister, would be used to benefit the people. Mr. Mann added in his speech that “our political leaders, especially MLAs, seek votes from you with folded hands by saying, give us a chance to serve you.”
“However, you will be amazed to learn that numerous MLAs who have won thrice, four times, or five times and then lost elections or were denied election tickets receive lakhs of rupees in monthly pension,” he stated.
“Some receive 3.50 lakh, someone gets 4.50 lakh, and someone gets 5.25 lakh as their pension. It burdens the exchequer with a financial burden of crores of rupees ” Mann said. Their family pensions will be reduced as well. Mann added.
Punjab CM said that he has given the required instructions in this regard to officials. Parkash Singh Badal, the leader of the SAD and an 11-time legislator, recently stated that he will not accept a pension as an ex-MLA.
The nonagenarian had requested that his pension be diverted to social activity, “ideally to support some poor girl students in their education,” from the Punjab government and the Vidhan Sabha speaker.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a Congress MLA, praised the state government’s move on his tweet. Pargat Singh, a Congress MLA, and former minister praised the decision along with Jalandhar Cantt MLA. However, Kuldip Vaid, a former Congress MLA, accused the AAP of presenting false information. Yet he said the proportion can be reduced.
Edited by – Subbuthai Padma
Published by -Iram Rizvi
