What is Article 106 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 106: Salaries and allowances of members Members of either House of Parliament shall be entitled to receive such salaries and allowances as may from
📅 Part V – The Union
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📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

106

part

Part V – The Union

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 106: Salaries and allowances of members

  • Members of either House of Parliament shall be entitled to receive such salaries and allowances as may from time to time be determined by Parliament by law and, until provision in that respect is so made, allowances at such rates and upon such conditions as were immediately before the commencement of this Constitution applicable in the case of members of the Constituent Assembly of the Dominion of India.

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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 106 of the Indian Constitution addresses the salaries and allowances that members of Parliament receive. It clearly states that members of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha are entitled to receive salaries and allowances as determined by Parliament through law. This provision ensures that the compensation for parliamentarians is not arbitrarily decided but is subject to legislative approval. By allowing Parliament to decide these matters, the Constitution maintains a balance between fair compensation and accountability to the public. Before the Constitution came into effect, members of the Constituent Assembly had specific allowances that were in place. Article 106 ensures that, until new laws are made regarding salaries, these allowances remain applicable. This continuity helps maintain stability during the transition from the Constituent Assembly to the newly formed Parliament. The salaries and allowances can be adjusted over time, reflecting economic conditions and the financial health of the nation. This flexibility allows Parliament to respond to changing circumstances, ensuring that members are adequately compensated while being mindful of the public purse. The impact of Article 106 is major as it influences public perception of parliamentarians. Adequate compensation can attract capable individuals to politics, which enhances the quality of governance. However, if salaries are perceived as excessive, it may lead to public discontent. Thus, this article plays an integral role in balancing the need for adequate remuneration for politicians with the expectation of accountability in the use of public resources. In this way, Article 106 reflects the principles of democracy, where elected representatives have the means to perform their duties effectively without compromising public trust.

Historical Context

Article 106 was adopted during the Constitution’s framing in 1949, reflecting practices of the previous Constituent Assembly. Debates in the Assembly emphasized the need for a structured compensation system for lawmakers to maintain parliamentary integrity. Although the article has not undergone major amendments, it has been influenced by various laws passed by Parliament, which adjust salaries based on economic conditions. Noteworthy Supreme Court cases, such as K. S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, have stressed the importance of transparency in public compensation, aligning with Article 106’s intent.

Key Features

– Members of Parliament receive salaries determined by Parliament through lawful procedures.
– Allowances applicable before the Constitution remain until new provisions are established.
– The article provides stability in compensation during legislative transitions and changes.
– It emphasizes the importance of fair remuneration for public representatives’ services.
– Salaries can be adjusted based on the country’s economic conditions and financial health.

Importance & Impact

– Article 106 ensures that Parliament members receive dignified and fair compensation.
– Parliament has the authority to determine salaries through specific legislative processes.
– The article allows for adjustments to salaries when necessary to reflect economic changes.
– It prevents arbitrary decisions about compensation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
– Adequate compensation can improve governance quality and public trust in politicians.

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements about Article 106: 1. MP salaries are determined by Parliament through legislation. 2. MP salaries are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India like presiding officers’ salaries. 3. The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act 1954 was enacted under Article 106. 4. Parliament can revise MP salaries without the involvement of any external pay commission. Which statements are correct? a) 1 and 3 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2 and 4 only d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 106 allows Parliament to determine the salaries and allowances of its members through legislation. This ensures that compensation is not arbitrary and is subject to public scrutiny. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they misinterpret the provisions of the article, which applies to both Houses and is not fixed or automatically adjusted.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 106 governs the salaries of members of the Indian Parliament.
✓ The Parliament has the authority to determine salaries through legislative processes.
✓ Allowances from the Constituent Assembly remain until new laws are enacted.
✓ Fair compensation for members enhances governance quality and public perception.
✓ Salaries can adapt over time to reflect economic conditions and realities.

FAQs

Article 106 of the Indian Constitution addresses the salaries and allowances that members of Parliament receive. It clearly states that members of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha are entitled to receive salaries and allowances as determined by Parliament through law. This provision ensures that the compensation for parliamentarians is not arbitrarily decided but is subject to legislative approval.

The salaries and allowances can be adjusted over time, reflecting economic conditions and the financial health of the nation. This flexibility allows Parliament to respond to changing circumstances, ensuring that members are adequately compensated while being mindful of the public purse. The impact of Article 106 is major as it influences public perception of parliamentarians.

However, if salaries are perceived as excessive, it may lead to public discontent. Thus, this article plays an integral role in balancing the need for adequate remuneration for politicians with the expectation of accountability in the use of public resources. In this way, Article 106 reflects the principles of democracy, where elected representatives have the means to perform their duties effectively without compromising public trust.

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Pramod Pal Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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