Shimla

MLAs in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh will not receive any pension if they defect to other parties, according to an amended bill passed in the State Assembly on Wednesday (Sep 4). 

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The unprecedented move is aimed at tightening the noose around defectors who switch parties after elections to seek 'greener' pastures. 

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu introduced the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2024, which could set a precedent for other Indian states. 

“A person shall not be entitled to a pension under the Act if he has been disqualified at any point of time under the tenth schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law)," reads the language of the bill. 

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The Secton 6B of the bill stipulates that every legislator that has served for any period up to five years, is entitled to a pension of Rs 36,000 per month ($428). Additionally, every legislator will be given an extra pension of Rs 1,000 ($12) per month for every year in excess of the period of the first term.

Watch | Six Congress MLAs disqualified from Himachal Pradesh Assembly for cross-voting BJP

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Congress MLAs disqualified

Earlier in February this year, six Indian National Congress (INC) MLAs viz., Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Devinder Kumar were disqualified under the anti-defection law.

The Congress lawmakers defied the party whip and abstained from the assembly during the passing of the Budget for 2024-25 and discussions on a cut motion.

"Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves. I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect," Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced at the time.

The petition to disqualify the MLAs was filed by Congress leader and parliamentary affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan under the anti-defection law.

Also read | Himachal Pradesh political crisis: Speaker disqualifies 6 Congress MLAs who cross-voted for BJP

All six MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) later which brought down the strength of the ruling party down to 33 from 39 in the now 68-member assembly. 

Notably, the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection Law’, is designed to prevent such opportunistic jumps by political leaders. It was passed by the Parliament in 1985. 

(With inputs from agencies)