All know that the Hon. Parliamentarians decide certain issues without much hue and cry or deliberation or opposition. The Members of Lok Sabha passed a bill on 27th August 2010 for increase in the salary, allowances to its members and pension and some allowances for the ex-members and with effect from 18th May, 2009. For sake of brevity, a few facts from, "The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 and Rules made there under (As amended up-to December, 2010)" are mentioned below with bare minimum observations /comments.
Pensionary Benefits to Ex-Members of Parliament
Every person who has served as a member of the Provisional Parliament or either House of Parliament ( Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha ) for any period is entitled to pension of Rs. 20,000/- per month with effect from 18.05.2009.
Where any person has served the Parliament for a period exceeding five years, he/she shall be entitled for an additional pension @ Rs. 1,500/- per month for every year in excess of five years. For the purpose of calculation of years for determination of additional pension, the period of nine months or more is rounded off to one complete year.
Where any person entitled to pension as Ex-Member of Parliament is elected to the office of the President or Vice-President or is appointed as Governor or Administrator or becomes a member of Council of States or House of the People or any State Legislature or metropolitan council or is employed on a salary under the Central or any State Government or any corporation owned or controlled by Central/State Government or any local authority or becomes otherwise entitled to any remuneration from such Government, corporation or local authority, such person shall not be entitled to any pension as Ex-Member of Parliament. However, if the salary/remuneration so payable to such person is less than the pension payable to him/her as Ex-Member of Parliament, such person shall be entitled only to receive the balance as pension.
The elected-nominated Members of the both the Houses as opined by some members need increase in their pensionary benefits as they continue serve the people even after their retirement or even after they become Ex. M.P., may it be by not getting ticket to contest election or losing in election/s. The M.Ps deserve and are right to pass/sanction increase in pension periodically, commensurate with the increase obtained/enjoyed by the government employees-(natural-subservient - another view). All Ex-Members of Parliament get 'minimum and equal' pension depending on the period they serve/spend in the parliament. And, all members are eligible/assured of enhanced pension and from a 'given-effective' date - not from a prospective date.
The amount of pension which was enhanced from Rs.8000/- to Rs.16000/- in 2006 was further enhanced to Rs.20000/- p.m. from 18th May 2009; additional pension increased from Rs.500/- to Rs.800/- and further to Rs.1500/- p.m. "Not an astonishing or astronomical amount" considering the status and honour the M.P.s possess, the ever increasing inflation and for that matter some state governments pay Rs.25000/- or more pension per month to their ex. MLAs and MLCs.
May be it is wishful thinking or may be wistful thinking. But, pray and hope that our Hon. Parlimentarians, our Law makers, our Hon. Finance Minister etc. who have been the beneficiaries of enhanced pension at some periodicity, do display magnanimity and empathy and ensure that GOI/LIC/IBA grant the legitimate demands of pensioners of LIC/Banks for increase in dearness relief to pre1997 pensioners and updation of pension.
Bharat Pensioners Samaj has given a clarion call for Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 24-02-2014. Hope those in power/near to the seat of power take due cognizance and do the needful.
SN, a 1992 pensioner.