Jammu, March 28 (Scoop News) – The Legislative Assembly today passed three important Bills regarding hike in the salaries and perks of legislators, Ministers and allowances of Governor.
The Bill No. 6 pertains to the amendment to the salary, allowances and the other privileges of the Governor, Bill No. 12 deals with the amendments to the salaries and allowances of Members, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The Bill No. 13 pertains to the amendment of pension to the ex-legislators.
All three Bills were moved by the Minister for Law and parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar and were passed by the House with voice vote after thorough debate.
M.A.Baig, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, Mir Saifullah, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Ch. Zulfikar Ali, Abdul Majid Wani, javed Mustaffa Mir supported the Bills, while as M.Y.Tarigami and Er Abdul Rashid opposed. The proposed amendments were withdrawn by the Members after the House evolved consensus.
Earlier, while moving the Bills, Sagar said the Bills were introduced one and a half years ago but due to certain reasons they could not be passed. He said the government sought consensus in the House before their passage.
He said the government has brought the Bills as consensus was evolved on the structure and quantum of hike in the salaries and perks of legislators and Ministers.
Muzaffar Hussain Baig said 6th pay commission implementation has necessitated corresponding hike in the salary of the legislators as the market witnessed price escalation. He said the government should effect the hike keeping in view the financial position of the State.
Abdul Majid Wani favoured hike in the salary commensurate with the working of the legislators. He said these have to move in far and hilly areas off and on.
Nazir Ahmad Gurezi called for hiking the salary on the pattern of Goa where, he said the legislators draw 1.30 lakh monthly salaries.
Opposing the hike, Tarigami remarked that it does not befit the legislators to call and crave for hike in their own salary. He said there should have been an expert committee to decide about the issue.
Er Rashid opposed the Bill and said that instead of hiking the salary institution of the legislator should be strengthened. He also called for increasing remuneration of the PAs of MLAs.
Mir Sifullah, A R veeri, Choudhari Zulfkar Ali and Javid Mustufa Mir also took part in the debate.
As per the bill passed with amendment in the shape of additional Rs 20,000 hike proposed by Mr Sagar, the Chief Minister’s perks would now go up from Rs 45,000 to Rs 90,000, Cabinet Ministers from Rs 40,000 to Rs 85,000 and Ministers of State and legislators from Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,300, nearly 100 per cent hike for all.
Pensioner’s hike from 12,500 to 23,000
Hike effected from September 1, 2009. Arrears per member approximate Rs 7.2 lakh. Arrears to cost Rs 9 crore approx. Perks hike to cost Rs 10 crore per annum to exchequer.