New Delhi: On second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha passed a bill that curtails the salary of MPs by 30% for one year and is applicable from April 1, 2020.
The Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020, will replace the ordinance brought by the government earlier to generate resources for fighting COVID-19.
Following Covid-19 outbreak, the Centre had slashed salaries of lawmakers by 30% to send across the message that the political leadership was leading the fight against deadly disease. This was followed by many state govts which reduced the salaries of MLAs by 30%.
Along with Salary, the the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Fund was also suspended for 2 financial years, in wake of Coronavirus.
Speaking on the issue in the House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that MPLADS fund should be restored as soon as possible.
“We should pass a resolution that we should get MPLADS fund. I don’t know the intention behind scrapping MPLADS funds. Eighty-three per cent of MPLADS funds is being spent in villages. All MPs accepted that their salaries be deducted by 30 per cent. I am fervently appealing that the MPLADS funds should be restored as soon as possible,” he said.
Replying to the debate on the bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the unprecedented situation called for unprecedented solution.
“The scope of this ordinance and Bill is to reduce salaries of members by 30 per cent. I am thankful to all the members who have supported the bill. This is not the question of a small or big amount. The question is charity should begin from home. I am happy that charity has begun from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha,” Joshi said.
“When unprecedented things happen, we need to take some extraordinary decisions. We should be role models for others. You have raised the issue regarding MPLADS funds. We have taken so many measures under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi to contain COVID-19. Many world organisations also hailed our efforts,” he said.
