SHIMLA, April 2: The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a significant bill on Wednesday to deny pension benefits to legislators disqualified under the anti-defection law. The legislation, introduced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, amends the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Act, 1971, to effectively bar any member disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution from receiving a pension.
Chief Minister Sukhu maintained that the law is a necessary deterrent to prevent the “sale of democracy” and ensure that future legislators do not indulge in defection. He affirmed that the provision is intended to be applied prospectively and aims to uphold a higher standard of public morality within the state’s political framework.
“In the future, no one will be allowed to indulge in defection,” the Chief Minister declared during the session. He noted that the amendment addresses a previous legal gap and creates a clear consequence for those who violate the mandate of their office.
The opposition BJP, led by Jai Ram Thakur, strongly contested the bill, asserting that the move is rooted in political revenge against former members of the ruling party. Thakur stated that the amendment would likely be struck down in a court of law and described the legislation as a “disgrace” to the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan defended the bill, stating it was a “historic step” required to curb political instability. He affirmed that the state government is focused on maintaining the integrity of elected offices, while Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi challenged the opposition to take a clear stance against defection.
