Sukhu govt moves to cancel pensions, recover benefits from disqualified legislators
Shimla:
A major legislative move targeting political defection is in motion in Himachal Pradesh where a bill aimed at curbing benefits for disqualified MLAs, particularly those who switched allegiance from the Congress to the BJP in 2024, has now reached the final stage of approval.
The Raj Bhavan has forwarded the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Members’ Salaries, Allowances and Pension) Amendment Bill, 2024, to the President for assent, potentially setting the stage for a new law that will cancel pensions and allowances for disqualified MLAs and enable recovery of previously drawn benefits.
Cross-voting fallout: Turncoats in the line of fire
The bill emerged from political turmoil during the 2024 budget session when six Congress MLAs and three Independents cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections, backing BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan.
The six Congress members — Sudhir Sharma, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Ravi Thakur, Davinder Kumar Bhutto and Chaitanya Sharma — were later disqualified under the anti-defection law after violating the party whip during the budget passage. Subsequently, they contested bypolls on BJP tickets, with only Sharma and Lakhanpal managing to win.
The state government, led by the Congress, introduced the amendment bill in the 2024 monsoon session to ensure such disqualified MLAs are denied post-tenure pensions and perks.
The bill, passed by the Assembly, was then sent to the Governor, who raised queries about its implementation timeline and scope.
Bill proposes recovery of past benefits
Under the proposed legislation, any legislator disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution at any time will lose entitlement to pension benefits.
Moreover, the bill includes provisions for recovering pensions already disbursed to such individuals. A key question raised by the Raj Bhavan was whether additional pension benefits, granted to returning MLAs who had previously been disqualified, would also be recoverable.
Clarity is still awaited on whether a re-elected former defector will regain pension eligibility after completing a fresh term. These legal grey areas are now under the scrutiny of the President’s office.
President’s nod to seal fate of disqualified MLAs
Once the President grants assent, the bill will become law in Himachal Pradesh, stripping disqualified MLAs of their pension and allowances permanently.
This marks one of the strongest legislative actions taken against party defection in recent state political history.
By tightening the screws on turncoats, the Congress government aims to send a stern message ahead of the next electoral cycle.
TNR News Network
