8 Things to Know about Anglo-Indian MPs in Lok Sabha

Paying heed to the demands and concerns raised by the Anglo-Indian community over the delay in nominating two of their members as Lok Sabha MPs as per the constitutional provisions, the Modi Government today nominated Richard Hay and George Baker. Let’s take a look on this unique provision of the Constitution of India:

1. Strength of Lok Sabha is 545. 543 are elected by the people, while remaining two are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community on the advice of the Cabinet .

2. A person from the Anglo-Indian community is defined as, “a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent; but who is domiciled within the territory of India permanently.

3. The Anglo-Indian MPs enjoy Law Making Powers, Financial Powers, Judicial Powers, Amending Powers as well as Electoral Powers like other elected Lawmakers.

4. They are entitled to the MPLAD funds and can spend those money on the welfare of their community.

5. They get salaries, pensions and other allowances like all other elected MPs.

6. Like other MPs, the Anglo-Indian MPs vacate their office every five years before fresh elections are held to decide the next tenure of the Lok Sabha.

7. The Anglo-Indian MPs are provided rent-free residential quarters in New Delhi.

8. Apart from being a Citizen of India, the Anglo-Indian MPs must be at least 25 years of age and he or she should not hold any office of profit under the government of India, or the Government of any other state. He or she should not be of unsound mind.