While speaking to dna AAP MLA Nitn Tyagi said that a team of 20 legislators had approached the CM, all the legislators unanimously agree that salaries must be raised.
A delegation of 20 Aam Aadmi Party legislators on Friday met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding a hike in their salaries. Taking a clue from Parliamentarians in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeking 100 percent hike in their salaries, the AAP MLAs also decided to approach both Delhi CM and his deputy Manish Sisodia for a similar raise.
While speaking to dna AAP MLA Nitn Tyagi said that a team of 20 legislators had approached the CM, all the legislators unanimously agree that salaries must be raised.
"We get 53,500 in hand and it might sound a lot but we are not able to save a penny for ourselves. In fact I personally have on many occasions used money from my personal savings to work for the people of my constituency," Tyagi said.
He added that not only him but other MLAs as well end up paying for the office, salaries of helpers, stationeries and so on, and that most of the previously lawmakers would also own business so had not much to rely on government salary.
"This is not the case with us. In a day, dozens of people from my constituency come to meet me with their problems. The people have to be served water, tea or snacks. This is basic courtesy but given the current salary even being courteous is turning out to be expensive for us."
The lawmakers' pay was last increased in September 2011, when the then Sheila Dikshit government increased the salaries of MLA and ministers by about 100 percent citing inflation and the rise in living costs. An MLA receives a monthly emolument of nearly Rs 95,000, including all incentives. While the basic salary is Rs 12,000 per month, the constituency allowance is Rs 18,000. The monthly allowance for telephone facilities is Rs 8,000, while the annual travel allowance is Rs 50,000. Besides these, the reimbursement of the legislators' monthly electricity and water consumption is Rs 4,000. The house rent allowance is Rs 20,000 per month, while the monthly conveyance allowance for MLAs is Rs 6,000. The Ministers and MLAs also get a daily allowance of Rs 1,000.
The state BJP however took a dig at the AAP saying that the "present pay and allowances were sufficient" with Om Prakash Sharma also going to the extent of saying that he was willing to work for Rupees 1. Interestingly some of the AAP MLAs had reportedly made similar statements before assuming office.
Recently, BJP leader MP Yogi Adityanath-led parliamentary panel had sought 100 percent hike in the salary of MPs. Other suggestions include, former MPs should get 20-25 free domestic air travel in a year, increase monthly pension from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 and hike DA allowance of Rs 2,000 paid for attending sessions. The current salary of MPs is Rs 50,000.
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