Is lifetime pension to MPs, MLAs not a burden on taxpayers, asks SC

Shobhit Kalra
Published on: 22 March 2017 11:58 PM GMT
Is lifetime pension to MPs, MLAs not a burden on taxpayers, asks SC
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Is lifetime pension to MPs, MLAs not a burden on taxpayers, asks SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Centre, Election Commission and the general secretaries of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha asking if the lifetime pension and allowances provided to the former parliamentarians and legislators is not a burden on the tax payers.

Hearing the PIL filed by an NGO, named Lok Prahari, the apex court bench, comprising Justice J Chelameshwar and Justice ES Abdul Nazir, said that it would hear the entire matter in detail and scheduled the next hearing four weeks later.

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The PIL stated that MPs and MLAs enjoy lifetime pension despite the fact that there are no such rule in the Indian Constitution. In reply, the SC said, "We have also seen the times when despite serving as parliamentarians for several years, some politicians died poor."

The petitioner has said that if a leader becomes a parliamentarian for just one day, not only he but even his wife become eligible for lifetime pension. He is allowed to travel in trains with a companion free of cost for his entire life. The PIL also pointed out that even the Governor of a state is not entitled to lifetime pension.

NGO's secretary and former IAS officer SN Shukla also mentioned that the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts are not allowed to take a companion with them even on official tours.

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"The lifetime pension to former public representatives is not only an undue burden on the tax payers, but also makes politics even more fascinating. This practice is just the waste of funds which should be stopped at the earliest," appealed the petitioner.

Shobhit Kalra

Shobhit Kalra

Writer has 10 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Chief Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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