Declared non-citizen, ex-BRS MLA still draws pension; Congress cries foul

Chennamaneni Ramesh

More than a year after the Telangana High Court ruled that former BRS MLA Chennamaneni Ramesh was not an Indian citizen and fined him Rs 30 lakh for concealing his German citizenship while contesting elections, he continues to receive a monthly pension of around Rs 60,000 as a former legislator, The Times of India reported.

Congress MLA Adi Srinivas has written again to the Telangana Assembly secretary, urging that Ramesh’s pension be stopped immediately. Srinivas argued that since Ramesh was declared a German citizen by the High Court, he is not entitled to any government benefits and sought recovery of salary, emoluments, and other perks already paid to him.

“As there has been no action on my previous request, I am again urging the Assembly secretary and the Speaker to stop his pension immediately. I will approach the High Court on this issue again, if required,” Srinivas said. He had earlier challenged Ramesh’s citizenship in court.

Sources told TOI that the Assembly secretary had earlier informed Srinivas that the High Court order did not direct recovery of salary or other emoluments from Ramesh, and that existing rules do not provide for such recovery.

Under Telangana Assembly rules, former MLAs are entitled to a pension, medical reimbursement and other benefits. Having served four terms as MLA from Vemulawada, Ramesh has been drawing a monthly pension of over Rs 50,000 since December 2023. Following the High Court order, he paid the Rs 30 lakh penalty imposed on him.

Former Telangana Advocate General K Rama Krishna Reddy said the legislative secretary does not have adjudicating powers on pension-related matters. “The Assembly Speaker can decide whether Ramesh is entitled to the pension, as this decision has to be taken after disposal of the court case. Srinivas can also approach the competent court on the issue,” he said.

Reddy also noted that Srinivas had moved the Supreme Court through a special leave petition seeking to be declared elected for the terms served by Ramesh. In August this year, the apex court declined to interfere, observing that it could not “resurrect” the matter as the election term had already ended.

“Even the Supreme Court did not address the issue of emoluments and pension when the present MLA approached it,” a source close to Ramesh told TOI.