Shock to the Hon’ble Government of Punjab: Governor returns ‘One MLA-One Pension’ ordinance; asked to pass the bill in the assembly

In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by CM Bhagwant Mann has suffered a setback. Governor BL Purohit has returned his ‘One MLA-One Pension’ ordinance. The Mann government has been asked to get the bill passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and send it. In the note sent from the Governor’s office, it has been said that the Punjab Assembly is to be in session in June. Therefore, the government does not need to bring an ordinance for this.

Approval was given in May, annual savings of 19.53 crores
After forming the new government in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann had taken the decision of ‘One MLA-One Pension’. It said that now an MLA will get pension of only one term. No matter how many times he became MLA. Till now, MLA used to get pension every time by adding. With this, a saving of 19.53 crores was claimed annually.

Act was amended in the cabinet
Despite the announcement of CM Bhagwant Mann, this decision was not implemented. In view of this, the Mann government had brought this proposal in the cabinet. In which amendment was made in the Punjab State Legislator Members (Pension and Medical Facilities) Act 1977. This ordinance was passed and sent to the Governor.

Highest pension in Punjab to former CM Badal
In Punjab, the highest pension is made by Parkash Singh Badal, who was CM for 5 times. He was to get a pension of about Rs.6 lakh. However, he refused to take pension a few days back.

Apart from him, former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who was a 6-time MLA, Lal Singh, former minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur get Rs 3.25 lakh, Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Sukhdev Dhindsa, who was a five-time MLA, get a pension of Rs 2.25 lakh.

They also get separate salary, pension allowances as Rajya Sabha members. This time Captain Amarinder Singh has also lost the election, so he too had to get a pension of lakhs.