Controversy erupts as Bill to revise emoluments of MLAs introduced in Bengal assembly

Controversy erupted over introduction of Member's Emoluments (Amendment) Bill 2023 in Bengal assembly, in a special session on Monday, to increase the salary of the MLAs and ministers, allegedly without approval of Governor CV Ananda Bose.

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay said he had sent the bill for approval on October 13 but it was not approved. LoP in state assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the introduction of the bill in the House is illegal without approval of the Governor.

BJP MLAs, led by Adhikari, staged a protest inside the assembly and walked out of the assembly. Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay said there is nothing illegal or unconstitutional in the introduction of the bill.


State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shobondeb Chattopadhyay said, " I have sent for the Governor's approval on October 13. However, we did not receive any approval and then Firhad Hakim went to meet him."

Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay and MoS Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya had introduced the bill. However, the proposed bill was not discussed in the House as a former MLA had passed away and the House was adjourned.

"The Governor did not approve the bill. We have opposed it in the assembly. It is illegal. The bill cannot be placed like this. It is the brainchild of Mamata Banerjee...The House was called for five minutes," Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said while speaking to mediapersons.

"Trinamool's only agenda is to earn and collect money. The Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax have prevented them from illegal money. So, now they are trying to earn money by increasing the salaries from taxpayers money," he said.