Pay MLAs as per their attendance in proceedings, suggests social activist

Mangalore, Jun 9: Abraham T J, a social activist from Bangalore in an open letter to the Secretary of Karnataka Legislative Assembly has raised a valid point.

The activist has questioned the Secretary as to why the MLAs have to collect complete salary even if they remain absent at the Assembly and further that why 'No work No pay' policy cannot be introduced even here.

Citing example of private companies which pay their employees only for the number of days the employees have worked, the activist has questioned the Secretary as to why the MLAs cannot be paid only for the legislative proceedings attended by them.

“ The salaries that are payable to the members of the Legislative Assembly are nothing but public money. It is noted that often many of our MLA's do not even bother to attend legislative proceedings. When such is the case, on what legal or moral authority can such absentee MLA's command salaries for days on which they deliberately absent themselves from their solemn duty,” Mr Abraham said in the letter adding that often, many MLA's disrupt the proceedings and walk out of the same. In such a case, the MLA who voluntarily walks out is not legally entitled to a full day's salary as he never fully took part in that day's proceedings.

“Similarly, it is learnt that some MLA's come in the morning, mark their attendance, and leave without participating in the day's proceedings. Such conduct does not entitle the MLA concerned to a full day's salary. He will be entitled to only a salary proportionate to the time he was present in the House,” he pointed.