Karnataka lawmakers likely to lose salary for violating car loan rules

More than a hundred legislators of Karnataka, including three Ministers, are on the verge of losing their monthly salary and other allowances on account of their failure to submit bills for purchase cars after availing of soft loans for purpose.

After availing themselves of a Rs 500,000 loan from the Karnataka Legislature Secretariat more than two years ago, these legislators, including MLAs and MLCs, had not bothered to submit the bills for the purchase of cars, forcing the Assembly Speaker Krishna to direct the Secretariat to stop payment of salary to these legislators, which is around Rs 15,000 per month, besides the other allowances they are entitled to.

A total of 103 legislators, including Health Minister R Ashok, Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar and Water Resources Minister K S Eshwarappa, figure in the list of lawmakers found guilty of not providing proof for purchasing cars after availing the loan.

The legislators are entitled to a loan of Rs 500,000 for purchase of cars soon after their election to either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council. The loan, which is given at a low rate of interest, is deducted from the monthly salary. “But, it is mandatory that the legislators use the funds only for purchase of a car and nothing else. Hence, the legislators should compulsorily submit the bills for purchase of a car”, said an official in the Legislative Secretariat.

These 103 legislators have neither submitted the bills nor have they bothered to respond to the notices issued by the Secretariat in the regard. Now, the issue has taken a serious turn with Speaker directing the officials to stop payment of salary and other allowances to these legislators.

The Secretariat officials are now issuing a final notice to the legislators to furnish the bills for purchase of the car and enclosing a copy of the Speaker’s letter. “We hope they understand the gravity of the situation and oblige”, the officer said.

Meanwhile, about 88 legislators of Karnataka have also been found guilty of not submitting bills for purchase of computers against a sanction of Rs 50,000 to each of them for the purpose. Unlike the vehicle loan, the money given for purchase of computers was released in the form of allowance and not repayable. But, the legislators had been asked to furnish bills for purchase of computers.

About 88 legislators are yet to submit the bills. “We are exploring various options to ensure that these legislators furnish the bills and ensure that the tax payers’ money is not misused”, Secretariat officials said.