Former MLAs in Haryana demand loans at 4% interest, land for housing society in Panchkula

Seeking medical allowance on the pattern of Chhattisgarh, the former legislators said they should be given at least Rs 20,000 per month for outdoor treatment, apart from the provision of cashless cards for indoor treatment in hospitals.

Ranbir Mandola, general secretary of the former MLAs’ association, said, “Banks do not give us loans after the age of 60. In Himachal Pradesh, the MLAs are given loans by their Vidhan Sabha Secretariat at an interest rate of 4 per cent. In Haryana, too, loans up to Rs 25 lakh should be given to former MLAs for purchasing houses and cars at the same interest rate.”

Mandola, a former INLD legislator from Badhra, said, “Keeping in view the increasing prices of petrol and diesel, the legislators’ travel allowance should also be increased. In Madhya Pradesh, the legislators are given Rs 2 lakh annual travel allowance while this amount is Rs 3 lakh in Jharkhand. In Haryana, too, this allowance should be increased from the current Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 25,000.”

The former legislators demanded a revision of their pension, stating it has not been revised for the past several years.

Mandola said, “The central government and the state governments give 20 per cent additional pension to their former staffers when they turn 80. Now, staffers have sought a slab system to increase pension. They have sought an additional pension of 5 per cent after attaining the age of 65 while a 10 per cent additional pension after attaining the age of 70. Similarly, after attaining the age of 75, an additional pension at the rate of 15 per cent has been sought apart from seeking an increase of 20 per cent for the age of 80 and 30 per cent after attaining the age of 85.
We have learnt the central government and a few states, in principle, have agreed to their demand. The pension of former MLAs in Haryana should also be increased on this pattern.”

On the pattern of Chhattisgarh, the former legislators also sought telephone and sevadar allowances. As representatives of the people, the former legislators said, they have to give donations for social, religious, sports and cultural events, apart from looking after many guests at their residences.

Association president Rambir Singh (Congress), former MLAs- Ramphal Kundu (INLD), Azad Mohammad (BJP), Bijender Singh Kadyan (Congress), Ramesh Gupta (BJP), Shashi Ranjan Parmar (BJP), Master Dharmpal Obra (INLD), Dr. Shiv Shankar Bhardwaj (Congress), Ishwar Singh Palaka (BJP), Kulwant Bajigar (BJP) and Anita Yadav (Congress) were among those who met the Speaker.

On his part, the Speaker assured the former legislators to bring their demands to the notice of the state government. The Speaker also asked Vidhan Sabha Secretariat officials to collect details from other states.