The state government is expected to save about Rs 19.53 crore annually. (file)
Chandigarh:
The AAP government on Saturday issued a notification in this regard with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, after Punjab Governor gave his assent to a bill limiting multiple pensions to former members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), saying it would raise Rs 100 crore in five years. There will be a saving of Rs.
Bhagwant Mann said that the notification implementing ‘One MLA, One Pension’ in Punjab would revolutionize and reform the political system of the country.
“It is a humble initiative by the AAP government to realize the dreams of our freedom fighters and national heroes,” he said.
The Punjab Assembly had on June 30 passed the Punjab State Legislature Members (Regulation of Pension and Medical Facilities) Amendment Bill, 2022. It aims to give pension to the members of the state legislatures for a single term at the new rate of Rs 60,000 only. month plus dearness allowance.
In a tweet on Saturday, Bhagwant Mann said, “I am very happy to inform Punjabis that the Governor has given his assent to the ‘One MLA, One Pension’ Bill. Government has issued a notification.”
He said that this step is expected to save the state government about Rs 19.53 crore annually.
With this notification, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that now leaders will not have “Mutt Ki Rewari” (free).
Harpal Cheema in a tweet said, “Leaders no longer have ‘Free Ki Rewari’! When Punjab was battling extreme financial crunch, MLAs from previous governments were enjoying multiple pensions. This ended under the leadership of CM @BhagwantMann. done.” ,
Later, in a statement issued here, Bhagwant Mann said, “Our great freedom fighters dreamed of a classless democracy, where elected representatives would act as real servants of the people and ensure their well-being.
“But in the last 75 years these elected representatives have become political executives by taking extra salary and pension from the exchequer,” he said.
Bhagwant Mann said that the entire burden of the facilities provided to these leaders is borne by the taxpayers’ money.
“Their money was used to fill the pockets of these leaders and not for public welfare,” he said.
Bhagwant Mann said that MLAs have voluntarily entered politics to serve the people, so they have no moral responsibility to claim multiple pensions in return for this service.
Bhagwant Mann said, “The Punjab government is expected to save around Rs 100 crore during its current tenure with this historic initiative.”
AAP MP (MP) Raghav Chadha appreciated this step of Bhagwant Mann government.
“Previous Punjab Governments maliciously siphoned off the exchequer and filled their pockets by taking advantage of ‘One MLA Multiple Pension’. MLAs will benefit before losing the election! ‘ of the treasury,” Raghav Chadha said in a tweet
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)