Haryana ex-MLAs get three times more pension than former MPs
Former MLAs in Haryana receive pensions that are more than three times higher than those of former Members of Parliament (MPs), despite MPs representing a much larger electorate.
While an ex-MP, who represents nine Assembly segments, receives a pension of Rs 25,000 per month, a former MLA in Haryana gets a base pension of Rs 50,000 per month for serving one term. Additionally, the MLAs are entitled to a 53% dearness relief (with effect from July 1, 2024, earlier it was 50%), which increases their total pension to Rs 76,500. Former MLAs also receive a special travelling allowance of Rs 10,000 if their pension is below Rs 1 lakh, bringing the total to Rs 86,500.
What ex-Speaker Gian Chand Gupta will get
Gian Chand Gupta, a former Speaker and two-time MLA (2014 and 2019), will receive a pension of Rs 1,00,000 per month. His base pension of Rs 50,000 for his first term, along with an additional Rs 10,000 for the second term, plus 53% dearness relief and travel allowance, brings his total pension to Rs 1,00,000.
Disparity in annuity
- One-time ex-MLAs get Rs 86,500, while one-time ex-MPs get Rs 25,000
- Rs 2,000 is added to the pension for every additional year served as MP/MLA after a five-year term
- Ex-MLAs receive dearness relief twice a year, while ex-MPs do not get this benefit
In contrast, former MPs are not entitled to dearness relief on their pension, unlike ex-MLAs, who receive it on the pattern of Haryana state government pensioners. The MPs also get an additional Rs 2,000 per year for every year served beyond their first five-year term.
Hemant Kumar, an advocate, pointed out this "anomaly," stating that it's surprising given that ex-MPs represent much larger constituencies. "An ex-MP represents nine Assembly segments, yet they receive a much lower pension compared to an ex-MLA, who represents only one segment," he said.
The pension structure for MLAs elected after January 1, 2016, follows the Haryana Legislative Assembly (Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2018, which standardised the pension formula. The base pension for these legislators is Rs 50,000, with an additional Rs 2,000 added for each year served beyond one term. The MLAs elected before January 1, 2016, continue to receive higher pensions under older rules.
Ram Narain Yadav, former Additional Secretary of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, confirmed the pension structure, adding that ex-MLAs benefit from both dearness relief and travel allowances. "Ex-MPs, on the other hand, receive a lower pension of Rs 25,000 without dearness relief," he said.
