Only Parliament has right to decide MP's pension: Arun Jaitley

Shobhit Kalra
Published on: 24 March 2017 5:16 AM IST
Only Parliament has right to decide MPs pension: Arun Jaitley
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New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in reply to Supreme Court's query about the lifetime pension and allowances to the former MPs and MLAs, on Thursday said that Parliament alone had the prerogative to ascertain how much public money can be allotted to parliamentarians and legislators as pension.

"It is the exclusive right of Parliament to decide who is entitled to a government pension and how much," Jaitley said, adding, "All institutions will eventually have to accept this Constitutional provision."

Arun Jaitley made the statement after Congress MP Jairam Ramesh showed surprise over a report that claims that over 80 per cent of Indian MPs are crorepatis. Opposition MPs also raised the issue in the Lower House by citing a petitioner's case being heard by the Supreme Court.

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

“Pension is given in a bid to ensure financial assistance to a retired person, but 80% of MPs are crorepatis then how do they need pension. It is a largesse given to the MPs, and we do not have any guidelines and rules to regulate the facilities provided to them," Kamini Jaiswal, representing NGO Lok Prahari, had said.

The NGO had sought details of the procedure followed by the government to decide the salaries and allowances given to the MPs. It had also pointed out in its plea that even the Governors do not enjoy the special perks and privileges enjoyed by the MPs.

The same petition, however, had been set aside by the Allahabad High Court claiming that it lacked merit.

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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