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3:58 pm, March 7, 2018

Centre Rules Out Independent Commission To Fix Salaries For MPs And MLAs

The Centre has ruled out setting up an independent commission to fix salaries for MPs and MLAs. Attorney General of India K.K Venugopal today told the Supreme Court that such a move will lead to complications as similar demands would be raised by other quarters.

The Centre has made its stand clear a day after the apex court said that parliamentarians determining their salary and perks themselves was an "moral" and "ethical issue" and sought for data on how much amount was spent on pension and other facilities provided to former lawmakers.

S N Shukla, general secretary of petitioner NGO 'Lok Prahari', argued in the court that earlier the MPs were entitled for pension after having a tenure of four years in the House but this has now changed and even if a person was elected as an MP for a day, he or she was entitled for pension and other facilities.

The apex court observed that lawmakers were entitled for salary and allowances so that they could maintain themselves in a dignified manner and even after a sitting MP or MLA loses election, he or she has to be in constant touch with the people and move around.

The plea has also said that Parliament has no power to provide for pensionary benefits to lawmakers without making any law.

It has also claimed in the plea that pension and other amenities granted to ex-MPs were "unreasonable" and sought withdrawal of such facilities, while questioning various provisions of the law framed by Parliament.