The Legislative Assembly on Monday made amendments to a bill which was not before the House.
The House approved amendments to the bill governing salary and allowances of sitting members to also increase the medical allowance of ex-legislators despite the fact that a separate bill governs the medical allowance of ex-legislators.
When the bill seeking increase in daily allowance of lawmakers was put up for passage, the legislators proposed verbal amendments to increase the medical allowance of former lawmakers.
“You can make oral amendments to a bill which is before the House. How can you make amendments to a bill which is not before the House?” an official of Legislative Assembly told Greater Kashmir, preferring anonymity.
According to sources, the Governor had only given consent for introduction of the bill for enhancing daily allowance of legislators which is pre-requisite for introduction of all money bills as per J&K Constitution.
“The Governer had given no concurrence for making amendments relating to medical allowance of former lawmakers. The prior approval was necessary for making amendments because it involves financial implications,” the source said.
When contacted, secretary Legislative Assembly M. R. Singh said there are “some technical issues” relating to the amendments for enhancing medical allowance of former lawmakers.
Speaker KavinderGutpa also said there are “some issues” relating to passage of the bill.