Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Sep 26: The assembly secretariat has found to its dismay that like in the recent case of some MLAs drawing travel allowances from their constituencies for travel to Bengaluru without being eligible for the same, and claim of medical expenses through fake bills, several legislators who have been appointed as chairpersons of boards and corporations have been drawing salary and allowances they are eligible to from the secretariat, apart from allowances attached to the post they occupy, thus causing heavy loss to the state exchequer. Some among them even used to claim allowances running to thousands of rupees per month, for being members of standing committees of the legislature and house committees.
The assembly secretariat has now ordered to stop disbursal of double pay to chairpersons of corporations and boards. The letter issued by the secretariat has clarified that the MLAs who are members of various committees are not eligible to get travel, daily and other allowances. S Murthy, secretary of the assembly, said that a list of people who have withdrawn benefits for two posts is being prepared and an effort to recover excess amount paid to them would be made.
A number of chairpersons of corporations, who draw pay, allowances and other benefits equal to a minister, have also drawn money from assembly secretariats. A list of such people is now being prepared and it has been decided to recover excess amounts paid to them from legislators. The letter to recover excess amount so far disbursed to these persons was issued by the secretary after getting opinion of the state advocate general.
As per Karnataka Legislature Pay, Pension and Allowances Act 1956, 21 MLAs who have been appointed as chairpersons of corporations and boards are not eligible to draw any allowances. The order has made it clear that from the day the department of personnel and administrative reforms issues order making them chairpersons, this order should be applied. These chairpersons are drawing house rent, fuel allowane, furniture, vehicle facility, medical facility, DV vehicle allowance etc. Most of them have also been drawing pay, allowance and other perquisites for which legislators are eligible. People appointed as members of committees too have been claiming allowances additionally.