Against the backdrop of reports that several MPs have appointed their relatives as personal assistants, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari today said there is no law against it and issues of ethics are decided by the Ethics Committee of the House.
"First of all tell me is there a law against it?" shot back Ansari when asked that a lot of MPs had appointed their relatives as PAs
Interacting with reporters while returning home from Addis Ababa after attending the golden jubilee summit of the African Union, the Vice President said there is an Ethic Committee of Rajya Sabha and issues of ethics are decided by that committee.
"The Chair has no role. All political parties are represented in the Ethic Committee at very senior levels. It is presided over by the Deputy Chairman. So any question of ethics which is raised goes to that committee and they take the decision," Ansari said without elaborating.
Several MPs have reportedly been found employing their sons, daughters, wives, brothers and sisters as their personal assistants (PAs) who are paid for by the state.
Under the salary and allowances rules, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats have to pay Rs 30,000 per month to those employed by MPs for secretarial assistance. This amount can be paid entirely to one PA or an MP can split the amount among assistants.