In austerity drive, CEC, ECs decide to forgo tax perks

NEW DELHI: Setting an example by embracing austerity in personal entitlements, the Election Commission on Friday decided that the chief election commissioner and election commissioners will forgo income-tax benefits available to them on sumptuary allowance besides availing only one leave travel concession (LTCs) in a year instead of the three entitled so far.
The decision came at the very first meeting of the full Commission — which currently has only two members — chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar, who took charge on May 15.
Kumar — who had retired as the finance services secretary — was keen that as a Constitutional authority, EC should take the lead by giving up benefits and allowances that cause an unnecessary and avoidable burden on the exchequer, sources said. Observers said the measure may end up being a permanent one, as subsequent CECs and election commissioners may be under moral pressure not to undo the financially prudent measure.
Similar perks and benefits are available to Supreme Court judges, with whom CEC and election commissioners enjoy pay parity; as well as members of other statutory bodies such as NHRC and Lok Pal.
The CEC and election commissioners are entitled to a monthly sumptuary allowance of Rs 34,000 on which no income tax is payable. On Friday, the Commission, feeling the need to observe austerity in personal entitlements, decided that CEC and election commissioners will not take the income tax benefits presently available to them. A proposal in this regard will be sent to the central government for appropriate action. It was also decided that CEC and election commissioners will avail one LTC in a year.