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The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has taken a significant step to discourage political defections by passing an amended Bill that denies pensions to MLAs who are disqualified under the anti-defection law. This unprecedented move signifies a strong stance against party hopping and seeks to reinforce the integrity of the legislative process. The bill, introduced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aims to deter MLAs from changing allegiances by removing the financial incentive associated with their political positions.
The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2024, explicitly states that individuals disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, popularly known as the Anti-Defection Law, will not be eligible for pensions. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the recovery of pensions already drawn by those who are disentitled under this amendment. This provision further underscores the government's commitment to holding defectors accountable and ensuring that the law is enforced fairly.
The introduction of this bill stems from the recent disqualification of six Congress MLAs in February 2024. These MLAs were found to have violated party discipline by abstaining from voting during the passing of the budget for 2024-25 and discussions on a cut motion. Their disqualification highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent such actions and maintain the stability and integrity of the legislative process. The amended Bill, by removing the financial incentive for defection, is expected to have a significant deterrent effect on future actions of this nature.
Source: No pension for MLAs who defect: Himachal Assembly passes new Bill