Puducherry hikes ex-MLAs’ pension

The Puducherry Assembly on Tuesday passed through voice vote a bill to increase the monthly pension of former legislators from ₹ 10,000 to ₹25,000, a 150 per cent hike.

The bill, tabled by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, to amend the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of the Legislative Assembly (Puducherry) Act 1964, was ‘unanimously’ adopted in the house.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill said the former legislators of neighbouring Karnataka were getting higher pension compared to the quantum of pension of the ex members of the territorial assembly. Itwasalsostatedthat by way of implementation of the recommendations of the seventh pay commission, salaries and allowances of officers have also been raised.

“Cost of living is increasing and to offset the increasing cost and to enable the ex MLAs to lead a decent life style befitting their status in society, it was proposed to enhance the pension of MLAs of Puducherry Assembly from ₹ 10,000 to ₹25,000 ,” it pointed out.

The increase in pension came into immediate effect and this would entail a recurring expenditure of ₹1.89 crore every year approximately payable from the Consolidated Fund.

In April this year, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis turned down the demand of the Maharashtra ex MLA Committee of matching their pension with what was being drawn by retired IAS officers after the implementation of the seventh pay commission recommendations. A hike in pension would have put an additional burden of about ₹10 crore a year on the state.

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