Guwahati: In a bid to prevent legislators from switching parties, the Himachal Pradesh assembly has approved a bill that withholds pension benefits from members disqualified under the anti-defection law.
The legislation was passed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the assembly and it aims to deter political defections by forfeiting the pension entitlements of disqualified members.
The bill stipulates that any member disqualified under the tenth schedule of the Constitution will not be entitled to a pension.
Additionally, the legislation enables the recovery of pensions already drawn by disqualified members.
Currently, legislators serving up to five years are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 36,000, with an additional Rs 1,000 for each year beyond their first term.
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The anti-defection law aims to prevent political defections.
The move comes after six Congress MLAs were disqualified in Himachal Pradesh in February under the anti-defection law for defying the party whip during budget discussions.