Karnataka: House panel wants more perks for netas

Soon, not only can legislators whiz past national highway toll booths, they will have “special protocol” arrangements at Tirumala Tirupathi and other major temples, besides them having the power to select beneficiaries under various government schemes.

All these and more are privileges that legislators should get, according to recommendations made by the Privileges Committee that tabled its report in the Assembly on Tuesday.

The committee also sought arrangements for legislators to rest at the Delhi Airport lounge and uniform policy to appoint gunmen for them.

The committee headed by former minister S A Ravindranath (BJP) has suggested measures to address the concerns raised by the legislators. The recommendations were provided under six heads and dealt with the responsibilities of various departments towards the elected representatives.

Under the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms, the committee said that all officials working at local levels will have to undergo compulsory training on “maintaining protocol of honorable MLAs” and ensuring that only local MLAs inaugurate projects worth Rs 5 crore or less, among others.

The committee wants the Public Works Department to address the problems faced by the legislators at toll booths. "Two FastTag passes should be issued to MLAs, instead of just one,” the report said.

Similarly, the Muzrai department should ensure 'darshan' and accommodation at Tirupathi, and such arrangements should be made during the MLAs' visits to prominent temples in different states.

The power to select beneficiaries under various schemes of Backward Classes Welfare and Minority Welfare, Hajj, and Waqf departments should vest with local MLAs, the committee recommended, adding that all projects should be implemented by officials, by bringing it to the notice of the local MLAs.