New Delhi:
Should MPs get a raise? They think so, but the Union Cabinet has deferred the decision because there's no consensus within ministers. (Salary hike for MPs? Your Comments)
MPs are currently paid Rs 16,000 a month. They'd like to see that tripled to Rs 50,000 a month. They also want other allowances to be doubled. MPs get Rs 1000 a day when Parliament is in session. They also get Rs 20,000 every month as a "constituency allowance." Another Rs 20,000 is meant to cover their office expenses.
MPs say this is only fair, pointing to the fact that a secretary to the government gets Rs 80,000 a month.
Those within the Cabinet who aren't on board with the raise include Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister AK Antony. They say the timing isn't appropriate, given the corruption scandal rooted in the Commonwealth Games, and the recent and controversial hike in fuel prices. (Read: Govt plans salary hike for MPs)
But there were some heavyweights who supported the 300 per cent raise under discussion. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal were among those who said that across the world, elected representatives are better-paid. Politics, they argued, should not be an option only for the rich. Another popular argument in this camp: if MPs make more money, corruption could dip.
Opposition leader Lalu Prasad Yadav slammed opponents of the raise as 'Crorepatis' or multi-millionaires who do not realise the fate of the ordinary Members of Parliament.
He said he will lead a protest on the issue in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
However, sources say whether MPs get an increment will now be debated many months later, in the winter session of Parliament.
MPs are currently paid Rs 16,000 a month. They'd like to see that tripled to Rs 50,000 a month. They also want other allowances to be doubled. MPs get Rs 1000 a day when Parliament is in session. They also get Rs 20,000 every month as a "constituency allowance." Another Rs 20,000 is meant to cover their office expenses.
MPs say this is only fair, pointing to the fact that a secretary to the government gets Rs 80,000 a month.
Those within the Cabinet who aren't on board with the raise include Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister AK Antony. They say the timing isn't appropriate, given the corruption scandal rooted in the Commonwealth Games, and the recent and controversial hike in fuel prices. (Read: Govt plans salary hike for MPs)
But there were some heavyweights who supported the 300 per cent raise under discussion. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal were among those who said that across the world, elected representatives are better-paid. Politics, they argued, should not be an option only for the rich. Another popular argument in this camp: if MPs make more money, corruption could dip.
Opposition leader Lalu Prasad Yadav slammed opponents of the raise as 'Crorepatis' or multi-millionaires who do not realise the fate of the ordinary Members of Parliament.
He said he will lead a protest on the issue in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
However, sources say whether MPs get an increment will now be debated many months later, in the winter session of Parliament.
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