New Delhi : Taking strong
exception to the Supreme Court's observation on perks and pension of
MPs, the government said in the Lok Sabha that the right of Parliament
is sacrosanct on the issue of deciding allowances of of its members.
Responding to members' concerns over the apex court's observation,
parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said perks and pensions to
MPs were given as per provisions of the law and it was in the exclusive
domain of Parliament under Article 106 of the Constitution.
" I think every member of the House agrees that the right of the House
is sacrosanct. Parliament has evey right to decide about salaries and
allowances of the MPs," he said hinting that the court should not stray
into the domain of lawmakers.
His response came after a number of opposition MPs brought up the
issue Raising it during Zero Hour; TMC member Saugata Roy said while the
apex court was transgressing its rights, Parliament was not asking why
former judges were being given pension.
" The Supreme Court is transgressing its rights. It is an exclusive
right of Parliament to decide on the issue. We are not asking why SC
judges are being paid pension. We should take a stand on the issue," he
said. Many other opposition and ruling party members supported him.
The Supreme Court had said that pension and perks to former MPs seemed
prima facie unreasonable and sought responses from the Centre and
Election Commission on a plea seeking scrapping of pension and other
perks being given to former MPs.
It also issued notices to the secretary general of Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha on the plea filed by NGO Lok Prahari on the issue.
( The times of India, Madurai, Saturday, March 25, 2017 )
Courtesy : MPS
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