On September 18, 2018, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was handed over a rather unusual letter that called for immediate action. Unusual, as it was signed by close to 400 members across parties from the two houses of the state’s legislature. Given its electoral strength, most signatories were from the BJP. The first two signatures on the letter were of assembly speaker Hriday Narayan Dikshit (denied a ticket this time) and Legislative Council chairman Ramesh Yadav.
The letter asked for a periodical increase and revision in pay and pension of serving and former legislators, and for making these tax-free. It said that legislators in the state were unable to perform the roles for which they had been elected. One reason was the vidhyak nidhi (MLA fund) of ₹4 crore was much lower than what legislators in other states were entitled to.
It was not an issue new to Adityanath. After all, he had served as chairperson of the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament from September 2014-2017.
“And yet he did nothing,” said Madhukar Jetley, Samajwadi Party MLC. “Many times, I approached him and he said that he would give me time soon to discuss the manner in which it was to be taken up, but that soon never came. He humiliated his legislators.”
On February 28, 2020, Adityanath announced on the floor of the house the formation of a committee to look into the matter. However, Covid-19 struck soon after and nothing came of that.
この記事は THE WEEK の February 27, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は THE WEEK の February 27, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
