CHAPTER - XIII
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT-SERVICES RENDERED
Salary and Allowances
13.1 The Ministry is responsible for the administration of the following Acts of Parliament:-
1. The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954.
2. The Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act, 1953;
3. The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977; and
4. The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998.
13.2 Under Section 9 of the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament is constituted to make rules on matters specified under sub-section (3) thereof. Recommendations of the Joint Committee are processed in the Ministry in consultation with the Lok/Rajya Sabha Secretariats and the concerned Ministries/Departments. Action is taken to bring forward legislation, wherever necessary.
13.3 The Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament constituted under section 9 of the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament act, 1954 and the Joint Parliamentary Committee set up under the chairmanship of Shri A.R. Antulay, MP and subsequently under the Chairmanship of Shri K.P. Unnikrishnan, MP to suggest facilities and remuneration for Members of Parliament had made a number of recommendations for increasing the salary, allowances and facilities of Members of Parliament. After carefully considering these recommendations from the administrative, financial and legal feasibilities, some of these recommendations were accepted by the Government and the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 1998 was introduced, considered and passed by both the Houses of Parliament on 4th August, 1998 which was assented to by the President on 20th August, 1998 as Act 28 of 1998. The relevant Rules made under the Salary, allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 were amended to enhance certain facilities to Members of Parliament. The notifications to this effect were issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat making them effective from 31.8.1998. A statement showing the salary, allowances and facilities etc. admissible to Members of Parliament is enclosed at Appendix-XVII.
13.4 Keeping in view the proposal of Government to increase in the salary of the President of India from Rs. 20,000/- per month to Rs. 50,000/- per month, it was also decided to enhance the salary of the Vice-President, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the Council of States from the then existing salary of Rs. 7,500/- per month plus Daily Allowance @Rs. 200/- and Sumptuary Allowance of Rs. 1,000/- to a consolidated salary of Rs. 40,000/- per month. To give effect to this decision , the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 1998 was introduced, considered and passed by the two Houses of Parliament on 4th August, 1998 which was assented to by the President as Act 20 of 1998 on 20th August, 1998.
The Leaders and chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998.
13.5 The Eleventh All India Whips' Conference held at Bangalore in January, 1994 as well as the Twelfth All India Whips' Conference held at Srinagar in august, 1997 had recommended for extending certain facilities to the Whips of recognised parties in Parliament and State Legislatures.
13.6. the Smooth functioning of the Parliamentary system depends to a large extent, on the efficiency of the party machinery in the legislatures. The Chief Whips and Leaders of Parties and groups in Parliament are important party functionaries who play a vital role in the proper functioning of the parties and groups in the legislatures and, hence, fulfil an important public purpose.
13.7 After due consideration of the matter as a whole and to implement the recommendations made by the All India Whips' Conference in this regard in respect of the center, the "Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Bill, 1998" was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16.12.1998. The Bill was considered and passed by the Lok Sabha on 18.12.1998 and was also considered and passed by the Rajya Sabha on 21.12.1998. the Bill received the assent of the President of India on 7.1.1999.
13.8 The Bill provides for extending certain secretarial and telephone facilities to the leaders and chief Whips of the recognised parties and groups in both Houses of Parliament.
Welfare of Members of Parliament
13.9 In order to look after the needs of Members of Parliament admitted for treatment in hospitals, arrangements have been made with the leading hospitals in Delhi to obtain day-to-day information by telephone regarding hospitalisation of Members, followed by a report regarding a health condition of the Members admitted in the hospitals. The officials of the Ministry pay visits to the hospitals to enquire about the health condition of the Members and to render any assistance required by them. The Minister/Ministers of State and Senior officers also make courtesy calls on the Members admitted in hospitals.
13.10 In the unfortunate event of passing away of a Member of Parliament in Delhi, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs renders all necessary assistance to the bereaved family in taking the mortal remains of the deceased Members for last rites to a place chosen by the family.
Transport arrangement for Members of Parliament
13.11 The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs looks after regular transportation arrangements for ferrying the Members of Parliament from their residence to Parliament House and back. It also arranges DTC buses for the Members/Staff on duty on special hire, during the late sitting of the House to enable them to reach their residences during odd hours in night.
13.12 In order to improve transportation service to MPs, Hon'ble Speaker had invited suggestions from Hon'ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Accordingly Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs held a series of meetings with senior officers of Delhi Transport Corporation and India Tourism Development Corporation seeking details, facts, figures and their experiences on this kind of transportation. On 29.10.1998 Hon'ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs held another meeting with senior officers of DTC,ITDC, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats and discussed the various proposals received from DTC and ITDC threadbare. After taking into account various relevant factors, it was unanimously decided that this responsibility may be entrusted to DTC. This was conveyed to Lok Sabha Secretariat for consideration by the House Committee and Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Dinner arrangements for MPs during late sitting of Parliament/Other occasions.
13.13 This Ministry makes arrangements for dinner/refreshments to the Members of Parliament, Press and Staff on duty in Parliament House during the late sittings of the House(s). This Ministry also arranges transport facilities for Members of Parliament and Staff on duty to reach their homes at odd hours of night during late sittings of the House(s) of Parliament in coordination with the Delhi Transport Corporation . During the period under report Dinners were arranged for the MPs etc. on seven occasions.
13.14 The other occasions when lunch/dinner were arranged:
(1) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism hosted a lunch in honour of Leaders of all political parties in Parliament on 22.5.1998 at Parliament House Annexe after a meeting regarding Electoral Reforms.
(2) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Tourism hosted a dinner to Leaders of political parties in Parliament on 9.12.1998 at Parliament House Annexe after a meeting on Reservation of Women in Parliament and State Legislatures Bill.
Ushering in Duty at Important Functions
13.15 This Ministry renders ushering service on important public functions in which Members of Parliament are invited. Such duties are required to be performed on Republic Day Parade, Beating Retreat Ceremonies etc.
Film Shows
13.16 Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs arranges screening of feature films in various languages for entertainment of Members of Parliament in coordination with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting . The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs rendered all necessary coordination/assistance including Special Bus/Security arrangements, in connection with the shows.
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