MPs’ pay hike on hold after divide in Cabinet
With some ministers divided over the timing of a threefold increase in the salaries of members of Parliament, the government on Monday deferred a decision on the matter. But this led legislators, cutting across party lines, to join forces to protest against the decision to stall a hike in their salary and perks.
Sources said a few ministers had voiced objections at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying the timing was not right. Any move to increase the salaries of MPs at a time when ordinary people were suffering because of high inflation was not advisable, they felt.
The dissenting ministers, who included Ambika Soni and Vayalar Ravi, also referred to the increasing cases of farmer suicides and the allegations of corruption related to the coming Delhi Commonwealth Games, making the point that a pay hike for MPs at this juncture would be seen in a bad light, the sources said.
However, arguing in favour of a hike in MPs’ salaries, Congress Rajya Sabha member Rajiv Shukla said: “The salary of Indian MPs is the lowest in the world. They are being paid less than a clerk in the government... MPs are above secretaries, and look at the difference in their salaries.” He said it was “extremely essential” to increase MPs’ salaries.
Echoing this, BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia said: “You must understand the problems of MPs.”
Both Mr Shukla and Mr Ahluwalia are members of the committee headed by Chhattishgarh Congress MP Charandas Mahant which had recommended fixing an MP’s salary at Re 1 more than that of a secretary, at Rs 80,001.
Claiming the support of almost all parties, including the Congress, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said a majority of MPs were upset over the government deferring a decision. Mr Yadav said those who opposed the move in the Cabinet were “crorepatis” who did not realise the fate of ordinary MPs. The RJD leader, claiming MPs from all sides were urging him to take up the issue aggressively, said he would lead a protest in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
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