Punjab changes pension formula for ex- MLAs

In a far reaching decision, the Punjab government is going to change the pension formula for MLAs. MLAs will now be eligible for only one pension. Thousands of crores of rupees which were being spent on MLA pensions will now be used to benefit the people of Punjab. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann in a video massege informed the the goverment's decision. "Our political leaders, including MLAs, seek votes from you with folded hands by saying that give us a chance to serve you," Mann said in his address. "But you will be surprised to know that several MLAs who won thrice, four times or five times and then after losing the elections or after not getting tickets for contesting the polls, get lakhs of rupees in pension per month," he said."But you will be surprised to know that several MLAs who won thrice, four times or five times and then after losing the elections or after not getting tickets for contesting the polls, get lakhs of rupees in pension per month," he said and further said that  somebody gets Rs 3.50 lakh and somebody gets Rs 4.50 lakh and somebody gets Rs 5.25 lakh as pension. It puts a financial burden of crores of rupees on the exchequer. A reduction will also be made in their family pensions as well, Mann stated.

Today, we have taken another big decision. The pension formula for Punjab's MLAs will be changed. MLAs will now be eligible for only one pension.

Thousands of crores of rupees which were being spent on MLA pensions will now be used to benefit the people of Punjab. pic.twitter.com/AdeAmAnR7E

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 25, 2022

A few days ago, SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, who is 11-time legislator, had said he will not accept pension as an ex-MLA. Had senior Badal decided not to forego the pension, he would have received more than Rs 5 lakh per month as pension. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, former minister Pargat Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema hailed the move. But former Congress MLA Kuldip Vaid accused AAP of presenting wrong facts. "AAP has wrongly propagated that if one becomes MLA for five times then he will get five pensions. It is wrong. Only an increment is given. Therefore, I do not agree with Bhagwant Mann's decision of stopping the increment. Yes, percentage can be reduced,"