BENGALURU: The Supreme Court’s order striking down the UPA government’s Act to allow legislators to be appointed as parliamentary secretaries in Assam might mean curtains for Karnataka legislators holding such positions.
Karnataka has over 20 legislators who hold posts of parliamentary secretaries. In June 2016, Siddaramaiah had appointed 10 more secretaries, most of whom were legislators. Former Advocate General of Karnataka Uday Holla reckons that following the verdict, all such secretaries would have to give up the posts, unless the decision is challenged in court and a stay order is obtained.
Senior advocate Ashok Harnalli said he couldn’t say if the legislators would have to resign without going through the judgment.
Parliamentary secretaries are entitled to remuneration on par with those holding the post of minister of state rank. Such appointments are usually seen as a largesse to satisfy those who miss a ministerial berth.
Until now, the appointment of state parliamentary secretaries had legal backing under The Karnataka Parliamentary Secretaries Allowances Act, 1963.