Page 5 - Mlas

West Bengal assembly passes bill to hike salary of MLAs to Rs 40,000

The West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill to increase the salary of MLAs and ministers to Rs 40,000 a month. Members of the opposition BJP were not present in the House when the Member's Emoluments (Amendment) Bill 2023 was cleared. "I have rightfully increased the salary and I will raise it again if I get a chance," said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was present at the Assembly. The MLAs used to get 10,000, ministers of state Rs 10,900 and ministers in-charge Rs 11,000 earlier. Now, they will get Rs 50,000, Rs 50,900 and Rs 51,000 per month, she said earlier. The BJP had criticised the decision to increase the salary of the legislators. "Those who have a lot of money are shouting, creating a ruckus. There are several MLAs who have assets worth several crores and do not need more, Banerjee said. But there are others who earn a living, she said adding: We have panchayat members who work for the 100 days' scheme. They are not creating any problems. Do not your heart

Assets of recontesting Telangana MLAs grew 65% in 5 years: ADR data

According to the analysis, 521 (23 per cent) of 2,290 candidates in the fray have declared criminal cases against themselves

Politics in the classroom: Politicians opt for 'schools' over grassroots

In a shift from grassroots to classrooms, today's politicians trade protest marches for 'schools', fusing ideology with social media finesse to navigate India's post-ideological electoral maze

Poll tracker: Assets of Chhattisgarh MLAs rose up to 3,340%, shows ADR data

This is according to an analysis of self-sworn affidavits of 66 re-contesting MLAs in the 90-member assembly by ADR

107 MPs, MLAs & 480 candidates have hate speech cases against them: ADR

A total of 107 MPs and MLAs have hate speech cases against them and 480 candidates with such cases have contested elections in the last five years, according to poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR and National Election Watch (NEW) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the incumbent MPs and MLAs, besides the unsuccessful candidates in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls held in the country in the said period. The analysis reveals that many of the MPs and MLAs, who are designated lawmakers, have actually declared cases related to "hate speech" against themselves. The analysis is based on the affidavits submitted by the MPs and MLAs prior to the last election they contested. According to the analysis, 33 MPs have declared cases related to hate speech against themselves -- seven from Uttar Pradesh, four from Tamil Nadu, three each from Bihar, Karnataka and Telangana, two each from Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal and one each from Jharkha

Is it the end of bribery immunity for Indian legislators?

In India, a significant legal development is underway as Chief Justice Chandrachud constitutes a seven-judge bench to reevaluate a 1998 judgment related to legislators' immunity from prosecution.

SC sets up panel to revisit verdict granting MPs, MLAs prosecution immunity

A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, will reconsider the apex court's 1998 verdict granting MPs and MLAs immunity from prosecution for taking bribe to make a speech or vote in Parliament and state legislatures. A notice, uploaded on the apex court website, said the bench will hear the matter on October 4. "Constitution Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Justice A S Bopanna, Justice M M Sundresh, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, Justice J B Pardiwala, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Manoj Misra is constituted to hear criminal appeal no. 451/2019 titled Sita Soren vs Union of India on October 4 (Wednesday)," the notice said. Nearly 25 years after the JMM bribery scandal rocked the country, the apex court had on September 20 agreed to reconsider its 1998 judgment, saying it was an important issue having a significant bearing on "morality of polity". A five-judge bench of the apex court had decided to refer the issue to a ..

Andhra Assembly speaker suspends 5 TDP MLAs for day amid uproarious scenes

While MLAs K Atchannaidu and B Ashok were suspended for the entire session of the assembly, Nimmala Ramanaidu, Butchaiah Chowdary, and V Ramakrishna were suspended for the day

Set timeline to decide disqualification of Shinde MLAs: SC to Maha Speaker

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra assembly speaker to spell out the timeline within a week for adjudication of the disqualification petitions filed against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena MLAs loyal to him who had tied up with the BJP to form a new government in June 2022. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra referred to the May 11 verdict of the apex court on the Maharashtra political crisis and the direction issued by it to the speaker to decide the disqualification petitions within a reasonable time. The speaker has to honour the dignity of the Supreme Court and abide by its verdict, the bench said. It asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the speaker, to inform it about the time frame being set by the House chair for disposal of the disqualification petitions. We expect deference and dignity to the directions issued by the Supreme Court, the bench said and listed the plea by Shiv

600 BJP MLAs visit 4 poll-bound states to ensure win in assembly elections

As the BJP is working on a war footing, out of these 600 MLAs, 50 were from Uttar Pradesh, and others were from Delhi, Gujarat, and Haryana

Rajasthan MLAs not keen to move to new govt complex before elections

CM Ashok Gehlot will inaugurate the new luxurious government accommodations on Saturday, August 12

Manipur MLAs urge PM for disarmament to foster environment of peace

Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the state requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security. The MLAs, most of whom are ethnic Meiteis, also demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups, implementation of NRC in the state and strengthening of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). In the memorandum, these MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups. "For the immediate establishment of security, simple deployment of forces is inadequate. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal. The entire state requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security," said the memorandum that was submitted to PM Modi on Wednesday. "The confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forc

Karnataka MLAs' assets more than that of legislators in 21 states: Report

The average assets of a sitting legislator in India is Rs 13.63 crore, says civil society group ADR

The politics and economics of MLA defecting to rival parties

One party gets the most number of turncoat lawmakers; regional players are affected most

Notices issued to 40 MLAs of Shinde-led Sena, 14 of Uddhav camp: Speaker

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Saturday said notices have been issued to 40 MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 14 of the Uddhav Thackeray faction, seeking their replies on disqualification petitions against them. The development comes a day after Narwekar said he has received a copy of the Shiv Sena's constitution from the Election Commission of India, and hearing on the disqualification petitions against 16 Shiv Sena MLAs, including CM Shinde will start soon. "Notice seeking replies on disqualification issued to 40 MLA of Eknath Shinde-Shiv Sena faction, 14 of Uddhav Thackeray faction," Narwekar told PTI. Earlier this week, the Shiv Sena (UBT) approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Assembly Speaker to hear the disqualification petitions expeditiously. MLA Sunil Prabhu had, in his capacity as chief whip of the undivided Shiv Sena, had filed the disqualification petitions against Shinde and other 15 MLAs last year afte

Ajit Pawar ahead in numbers game; 35 of 53 NCP MLAs attend his meeting

As many as 35 of 53 NCP MLAs were present at the party meeting convened by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Wednesday, party sources said. The number will increase further, the sources said. Five of eight NCP MLCs are also attending the meeting taking place in suburban Bandra, they said. According to former principal secretary of Maharashtra Legislature Anant Kalse, Ajit Pawar camp needs the support of at least 36 MLAs to avoid disqualification. NCP chief Sharad Pawar's supporters thronged his residence in south Mumbai on Wednesday, hours ahead of the show of strength meetings convened by him and Ajit Pawar who parted ways to become the deputy chief minister. The Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party are holding their meetings in Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in south Mumbai and in Bhujbal Knowledge City in suburban Bandra, respectively. Outside Silver Oak, the senior Pawar's residence in south Mumbai, a party worker was seen .

Shinde will be replaced as CM soon, 16 MLAs will be disqualified: Raut

Raut's remark came after NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra and took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on Sunday

Karnataka legislators take oath in name of family deities, political gurus

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was the first to take the oath, followed by his deputy DK Shivakumar and eight cabinet minister

Ajit Pawar dismisses reports of planning meeting with MLAs on Apr 18

Amid intense speculation in Maharashtra's political circles about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday dismissed as false the reports that he has called a meeting of MLAs on Tuesday. Ajit Pawar also said he had no scheduled events to attend on Monday amid reports that he had called off his engagements in Pune. "I was present at MGM Hospital in Kharagar, Navi Mumbai, on Monday to offer condolences to the families of the deceased and to provide comfort to those affected by heat during the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' Award ceremony on Sunday. I had no scheduled events (to attend) on Monday as I am still in Mumbai," the opposition leader said in a statement. The NCP leader said he will be in Mumbai on Tuesday. "I will be present at my office in Vidhan Bhavan for regular work. Reports are being circulated in a section of the media saying I have called a meeting of MLAs on Tuesday. These are completely false reports. I have not

Money laundering: ED data shows only 2.98% cases against MPs/MLAs

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said that only 2.98 per cent of its overall ECIRs or complaints have been filed against serving or former MPs and MLAs even as its conviction rate under the anti-money laundering law is at a high of 96 per cent. The federal probe agency has published an updated data of its action under the three laws it implements-- the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA)-- till January 31, 2023. The ED was entrusted with enforcing the stringent provisions of the PMLA, enacted in 2002, from July 1, 2005. The law empowers the agency to summon, arrest, attach the assets of the accused at the investigation stage and prosecute the offenders before a court of law. The data said the ED filed a total of 176 Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs), equivalent to a police FIR, against existing and ex MPs, MLAs and MLCs which comes to 2.98 percentage of the total 5,906 suc