New Delhi: Lawmakers did not waste anytime on this. A Bill rewarding “companions and relatives” of Ministers with free air travel within India has got Parliamentary approval without debate.
The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill was on Tuesday approved by the Rajya Sabha without discussion. Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan said that it was agreed so in the business advisory committee. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on December 18 without a debate.
The Bill entitles Ministers to take along "any number of companions or relatives" by air but is subject to a maximum of 48 such trips per year. This brings the Ministers on par with facilities given to MPs.
"A Minister shall be entitled to an amount equal to the fare for a single journey performed by him, during each year, within India, either alone or along with spouse or legitimate or step-children, residing with and wholly dependent on him, or any number of companions or relatives, at the same rates at which travelling allowance is payable to such minister...subject to maximum of 48 such fares per year," the bill said.
The Statement of the Objects and Reasons of the Bill said it proposed to end the discrepancy between Ministers and MPs.
It also provides that the spouse or legitimate or step-children residing with and wholly dependent on the minister may undertake such journey alone.
According to the Bill, the government will incur no additional expenditure due to the measure. "As no change is proposed in the amount of entitlement permissible during each year...the proposed amendment does not involve any additional expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India," said the financial memorandum attached to the Bill.
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