By IT Correspondent
New Delhi, Sept 15:
A bill that seeks to reduce for one year the salaries of Members of Parliament by 30 per cent to meet the exigencies arising out of COVID-19 pandemic was introduced in Lok Sabha, by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday.
The bill seeks to replace an ordinance promulgated on April 7, by the Union Cabinet, which had stated that the pandemic has shown the importance of expeditious relief and assistance and therefore, it was necessary to take certain emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of this pandemic.
The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 replaces the Salary, Allowances And Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. It l ratifies the cut in MPs salaries by 30 per cent for a year commencing April 1, 2020 to meet COVID-19 exigencies. While tabling the bill Joshi said that “I rise to move…to introduce the bill further to amend the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954.
In April the Cabinet had also approved the temporary suspension of the MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) Fund during 2020-21 & 2021-22, making a provision to transfer Rs 7900 crore, towards the consolidated amount of MPLAD Funds for 2 years.
Another bill to replace the Epidemic Diseases Amendment Ordinance, provides preventive measures against violence on healthcare personnel and damage to property is also being introduced. Under the provisions of the bill, the aggressors will be liable to a jail term of three months to seven years plus fine ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh.
Besides the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Bill, seeks to replace an ordinance, which addresses the challenges faced by taxpayers due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Two controversial Bills include the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, to provide an ecosystem wherein farmers/traders can pick markets for sale and purchase. The second is the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Prices Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. It provides for a national framework on farming agreements to empower farmers to engage with agro business firms.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, seeks to empower the Centre to control production, supply, distribution, trade and commerce in certain commodities.