Times of India: Bhopal: Monday, 06 November 2023.
While maximum tariff for telephones across operators is Rs 400-500 per month, MLAs of Madhya Pradesh get Rs 10,000 as monthly telephone allowance which costs Rs 13.8 crore annually for a 230-member assembly.
The information received under RTI reveals that under the the MP Vidhan Sabha Sadasya Vetan, Bhatta Tatha Pension Adhiniyam, 1972.
Replying to query under RTI Act by Neemuch-based RTI activist Chandrashekhar Gaur, MP assembly secretariat informed that, the members of the assembly are provided Rs 10,000 as telephone allowance per month, Rs 10,000 per month for stationery and postal allowance and Rs 15,000 per month for computer operator and orderly, this is included in their monthly salary.
Besides these, the secretariat also informed that the members are provided with landline and internet and at their government residence or office situated in Bhopal, but it is capped at Rs 329 + 18% GST per month. Besides there is a provision of Rs 50,000 for one time during the entire period of membership for buying computers/laptops and between 2019-2020 and 2023-24 a total of 159 members have availed this, said the same reply.
If the amount of Rs 10,000 per member per month is considered then for 230 members it turns out to be Rs 23 lakh per month and for five years it will be Rs 13.8 crore.
Apart from it, assembly secretariat also informed that sitting members are provided with Rs 10,000 as medical allowance per month and the former members are provided Rs 15,000 as medical allowance per month.
“Telecom industry has moved forward by leaps and bounds from tariff being charged on per second basis to unlimited free calling now, hence if possible, the government should look at rationalizing this too”, Gaur who filed the RTI application told TOI.
While maximum tariff for telephones across operators is Rs 400-500 per month, MLAs of Madhya Pradesh get Rs 10,000 as monthly telephone allowance which costs Rs 13.8 crore annually for a 230-member assembly.
The information received under RTI reveals that under the the MP Vidhan Sabha Sadasya Vetan, Bhatta Tatha Pension Adhiniyam, 1972.
Replying to query under RTI Act by Neemuch-based RTI activist Chandrashekhar Gaur, MP assembly secretariat informed that, the members of the assembly are provided Rs 10,000 as telephone allowance per month, Rs 10,000 per month for stationery and postal allowance and Rs 15,000 per month for computer operator and orderly, this is included in their monthly salary.
Besides these, the secretariat also informed that the members are provided with landline and internet and at their government residence or office situated in Bhopal, but it is capped at Rs 329 + 18% GST per month. Besides there is a provision of Rs 50,000 for one time during the entire period of membership for buying computers/laptops and between 2019-2020 and 2023-24 a total of 159 members have availed this, said the same reply.
If the amount of Rs 10,000 per member per month is considered then for 230 members it turns out to be Rs 23 lakh per month and for five years it will be Rs 13.8 crore.
Apart from it, assembly secretariat also informed that sitting members are provided with Rs 10,000 as medical allowance per month and the former members are provided Rs 15,000 as medical allowance per month.
“Telecom industry has moved forward by leaps and bounds from tariff being charged on per second basis to unlimited free calling now, hence if possible, the government should look at rationalizing this too”, Gaur who filed the RTI application told TOI.
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