SC seeks UP govt response on plea challenging MLAs, MLCs’ pension, perks
The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government regarding a petition that challenges the legality of pension and perks provided to state legislators. The petitioner argues that these benefits are arbitrary and exceed the constitutional powers of the state legislature.
Why it matters
The case addresses the balance between legislative privileges and public accountability, potentially setting a precedent for how state-funded benefits are structured.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government and others on a plea challenging provisions of a 1980 law that provide pension and other facilities to sitting and former MLAs and MLCs in the state.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice on the petition challenging a May verdict of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, which had dismissed the plea against the constitutional validity of the provisions.The top court posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.Plea questions benefits to legislatorsThe petitioner, Lok Prahari, had challenged provisions of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members' Emoluments and Pension) Act, 1980, arguing that the state legislature had effectively made itself the “judge in its own cause” by granting benefits to its sitting and former members.The plea contended that the benefits were “manifestly arbitrary” and contrary to the constitutional principle that…
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