2[6A. Free transit by Steamer.-

(1) 3[Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, every member representing the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands or the Union territory of Lakshadweep shall-

(a) be provided with one free non-transferable pass which shall entitle him to travel at any time by the highest class by steamer to and from any part of his constituency and any other part of his constituency or the nearest part in the main land of India; and

(b) be entitled to an amount equal to the fare by air from his usual place of residence to the nearest airport in the main land of India 4[and back]:] Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed as absolving the member from payment of any diet charges payable by him during such travel.

(2) A free steamer pass issued to a member under sub-section (1) shall be valid for the term of his office and on the expiration of his term, the pass shall be surrendered to the Secretary of the House of the People: Provided that where any such pass is issued to a new member before he takes his seat in the House of the People, he shall be entitled to use the pass for attending a session of that House for taking his seat therein.

(3) Until a member is provided with a free steamer pass under sub-section (1), he shall be entitled to an amount equal to one fare (without diet) for the highest class for any journey of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) of section 4 performed by him by steamer.

(4) A member who on ceasing to be a member surrenders the steamer pass issued to him under sub-section (1), shall, if he performs any return journey by steamer of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) of section 4, be entitled in respect of that journey to an amount equal to one fare (without diet) for the highest class.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed as disentitling a member to any travelling allowances to which he is otherwise entitled under the provisions of this Act.

(6) In addition to 5[the facilities provided to a member] under sub-section (1), he shall also be entitled-

(i) to one free pass for one person to accompany the member and travel by the 6[highest class] class] by steamer to and from any part of the constituency of the member and any other part of his constituency or the nearest port in the main land of India; 7[or]

(ii) to one free non-transferable pass for the spouse, if any, of the member to travel by the highest class by steamer to and from the usual place of residence of the member in his constituency and the nearest port in the main land of India, 1[at any time between the Island and the main land of India; and]

2[(iii) to an amount equal to the fare by air either for the spouse, if any, of the member or for one person to accompany the member from the usual place of residence in the Island to the nearest airport of the main land of India 3[and back]: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed as absolving the person accompanying the member or the spouse of the member from payment of any diet charges payable by such person or spouse during such travel.]

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 1999, s. 3, for "air-conditioned two-tier" (w.e.f. 18-3-1999).

2. Ins. by Act 29 of 1972, s. 4 (w.e.f. 9-6-1972).

3. Subs. by Act 60 of 1988, s. 5, for the opening paragraph (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).

4. Ins. by Act 30 of 1989, s. 2 (w.e.f. 28-8-1989).

5. Subs. by Act 60 of 1988, s. 5, for "a free steamer pass issued to a member" (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).

6. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for "lowest class" (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).

7. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for "and" (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).