The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the final day of its Budget Session passed the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing a provision to deny pension benefits to legislators disqualified under the anti-defection law.
The Bill, moved by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, amends the 1971 Act governing salaries, allowances and pensions of MLAs. Under the new provision, any MLA disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution for defection will no longer be entitled to pension benefits.
MOVE AIMED AT CURBING DEFECTIONS
Explaining the rationale, Sukhu said the existing law lacked provisions to discourage defections. He said the amendment aims to safeguard the public mandate, uphold democratic values and curb defection.
The Chief Minister also accused the BJP of not supporting the measure and alleged that such opposition encourages “Operation Lotus”. He said the amendment was intended to ensure that “democracy is not sold.”
OPPOSITION ALLEGES POLITICAL TARGETING
The Opposition opposed the Bill, calling it politically motivated. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said a similar amendment had been brought earlier but did not receive approval, and questioned the intent behind reintroducing it.
He alleged the government was targeting specific individuals, stating that an earlier proposal to remove pensions for all MLAs was not cleared, and that the current Bill appears aimed at two former legislators. He also said the matter could be challenged in court.
SPEAKER BACKS MOVE
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania supported the legislation, saying it would set an example for other states and strengthen democratic systems by discouraging defections.
Following the passage of the Bill, pension benefits of former Congress MLAs Chaitanya Sharma and Devender Kumar Bhutto are set to be discontinued. Both had cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha elections in February 2024, violating the party whip. Under existing provisions, MLAs who have served for at least five years are entitled to a monthly pension.
The development comes after an earlier version of a similar Bill could not be implemented as it did not receive presidential assent.
– Ends
Tune In
