CHAPTER - XII
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT-SERVICES RENDERED
Salary and Allowances
12.1 This Ministry is responsible for 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; and
3.
The
Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act,1977.
12.2 Under Section 9 of the Salary, Allowances and Pension
of Members of Parliament Act,1954,
a Joint Committee of both
Houses of Parliament consisting of
10 Members of Lok Sabha and 5 Members of Rajya Sabha nominated by Speaker, Lok
Sabha and Chairman, Rajya Sabha respectively, is constituted
to make rules on matters specified under sub-section(3) of Section 9 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.
12.3 During the year 2002, the following amendments to the Acts mentioned at 2 and 3 above have been made :-
(i) The
Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament and Leaders of Opposition in
Parliament(Amendment) Bill,2002 was passed by Lok Sabha on 07.05.2002 and by
Rajya Sabha on 14.05.2002 and was
assented to by the President on 27.05.2002 as Act No. 29 of 2002. Through this
Bill, the Sumptuary Allowance of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament and
Speaker, Lok Sabha has been increased at par with Cabinet Minister and those of
the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha has been
increased at par with Ministers of State, respectively with effect from
17.9.2001.
(ii) The Salaries and
Allowances of Officers of Parliament (Second Amendment) Bill, 2002 was passed
by Lok Sabha on 08.05.2002 and by Rajya Sabha on 14.05.2002 and was assented to
by the President on 27.05.2002 as Act No. 31 of 2002 which provides for remainder life of the spouse of the Speaker, Lok Sabha
dying in harness , family pension @ 50% of salary last drawn by the Speaker,
rent free unfurnished accommodation and free medical treatment retrospectively
from 3.3.2002. It also provides for free medical treatment to the minor
children of such Speaker.
(iii) The Salaries and Allowances of
Officers of Parliament and Leaders of Opposition in Parliament (Second
Amendment)Bill,2002 has been passed by Lok Sabha on 22.11.2002 and by Rajya
Sabha on 26.11.2002. It contains the provision of enhancement of six non-official
return journeys in a year admissible to Officers of Parliament and Leaders of
Opposition in Parliament to twelve return journeys at par with Ministers
retrospectively with effect from 17.9.2001.
12.4 An
updated statement showing the Salary, Allowances, Pension and facilities etc.
admissible to Members of Parliament is at Appendix XIV.
THE LEADERS AND CHIEF WHIPS OF RECOGNISED PARTIES AND GROUPS IN
PARLIAMENT (FACILITIES) ACT, 1998
12.5 The 11th All India Whips’
Conference held at Bangalore in January, 1994 as well as 12th 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.
12.6 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.
12.7 After the 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 centre, the “Leaders and Chief
Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998”
was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16.12.1998. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha
on 18.12.1998 and was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 21.12.1998. The Bill received
the assent of the President of India on 7.1.1999 and was enacted as Act No.5 of
1999.
12.8 The Act 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.
12.9The Leaders and Chief Whips
of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Telephone and Secretarial
Facilities) Rules, 1999 were made under the Act and notified on 4th
February, 1999.
12.10 The Leaders and Chief Whips of
Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Amendment Bill, 2000
was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15.5.2000. The Bill was passed by the Lok
Sabha on 16.5.2000 and by the Rajya Sabha on 17.5.2000. The Bill received
assent of the President on 7.6.2000. The Bill inter-alia provided for extending
the facilities to the Deputy Leaders of the recognised parties and groups also.
12.11 The Leaders and Chief Whips of
Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Telephone and Secretarial
Facilities) Amendment Rules, 2000 were notified in the Gazette on 3rd
July, 2000. The amendment rules inter-alia provided for enhancing the telephone
facilities to the Leaders, Deputy Leaders and Chief Whips.
Welfare of
Member of Parliament
12.12 The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs coordinates with other Ministries/Departments on various occasions of government functions/activities. During the period under report, willingness of Members of Parliament to attend the ceremony of assumption of office by the President-elect was called for at the instance of Ministry of Home Affairs and conveyed to them for arranging invitation to Members of Parliament.
12.13 In order to look after the needs of ailing 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 health condition of the ailing Members. The officers of this 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 for Parliamentary Affairs
and senior officers also make courtesy calls on the ailing Members admitted in
hospitals as and when required.
12.14 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 members in taking the mortal
remains of the deceased Member for last rites to a place chosen by the
family. During the period under
report, assistance were provided in the following occasion:
Shri Jagadambi Prasad Yadav, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Bharatiya Janata Party, expired on 20 June, 2002 at Coimbatore during an official tour. Shri Yadav's body was airlifted to Delhi by an Indian Air Force plane on the same day. As per wishes of his family members, his body was airlifted to Patna by an Indian Airlines flight on 21st June 2002 for last rites. Officers of this Ministry coordinated the work of transportation of the dead body of Shri Yadav, with the bereaved family members. A hearse van was engaged by this Ministry for transportation of the dead body from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to the Delhi residence of the Shri Yadav on the night of 20.6.2002 and to IGI Airport (Palam) on 21.6.2002.
Transport arrangement for Members of Parliament
12.15 The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs looks after
transportation arrangements for ferrying the Members of Parliament from their
residence to Parliament House and back.
It also arranges DTC buses on special hire, for the Members/Staff on
duty, during the late sittings of the House(s) to enable them to reach their
residence during odd hours in night.
Film Shows
12.16 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
security arrangements for these shows.
During the year 2002, 14 films of different languages were screened at
Mavalankar Auditorium, New Delhi.
Dinner arrangement for Members of Parliament during late sitting of
Parliament/other occasions
12.17
This
Ministry makes arrangements for dinner/refreshment to the Members of Parliament
Press and Staff on duty in Parliament House during the late sitting(s) of
House(s).
12.18 This Ministry also arranges transport facilities
for Members of Parliament and Staff on duty for their homes at odd hours of
night during late sitting(s) of the House(s) of Parliament, in coordination
with the Delhi Transport Corporation.
12.19 During the year 2002, dinner was arranged for MPs
etc. on four occasions. In view of
a decision taken in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, Lok Sabha,
held on 2.5.2002, Lok Sabha Secretariat has taken over the job of arranging
dinner for Members and staff on duty, whenever required, during the late
sittings of Lok Sabha. However,
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, will continue to arrange dinner for Members
of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and staff, whenever required, during late sittings
of Rajya Sabha only.
Ushering in duty at important functions
12.20. 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, Ceremony of
assumption of office by the President elect etc.