Ghulam Nabi Sumji, who is currently the general secretary of Geelani led Hurriyat Conference, says it was his right to seek the revised pension from Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
Pro-Pakistan Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani's close aide Ghulam Nabi Sumji has sought revised pension and arrears from the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for being a former MLA.
Sumji, who heads Muslim Conference an important constituent of Hurriyat Conference, had won assembly election from Bijbhera of Anantnag district in 1987 on a Muslim United Front ticket.
Two years later, he along with Geelani and others resigned from the Assembly at the onset of militancy in 1989. Sumji later joined the separatist conglomerate and advocated azadi for Jammu and Kashmir and its merger with Pakistan.
However, in March this year, he wrote a letter to the secretary of the state Legislative Assembly, seeking enhanced pension and arrears.
"I beg to submit that pension of ex-MLAs has been revised and the arrear dues have been released by the Act. It is therefore prayed that my increased pension along with arrear dues be released in my favour," read his letter.
After this, the state Assembly gave a formal approval on Tuesday and revised his pension and other emoluments under rules.
Sumji, who is currently the general secretary of Geelani led Hurriyat Conference, said it was his right to seek the revised pension from Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
"Currently I am drawing Rs 47,000 monthly salary. It is my right to seek revised pension and arrears," he told DNA.
The government recently amended the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members' Pension (Amendment) Act 2018 and enhanced the medical allowance of ex legislators from Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 per month. Plus the additional pension has been increased
"I had stopped taking pension for some time. But later I again started taking it. One of my friends told me that the pension has been enhanced. So he completed all the formalities on my behalf", he said.
However, Sumji admitted that seeking pension from government would trigger a controversy in the Hurriyat Conference. "Naturally it will create controversy. They have right to seek explanation and I will explain my position", he said
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