Parliament today passed the much talked about bill to hike salaries of MPs by over three times from Rs16,000 to Rs50,000 and doubling two of their key allowances to Rs40,000.
Parliament today passed the much talked about bill to hike salaries of MPs by over three times from Rs16,000 to Rs50,000 and doubling two of their key allowances to Rs40,000 each with the Rajya Sabha approving the measure.
The Salary, Allowance and Pension of Members of Parliament
(Amendment) Bill, 2010, has already been passed by the Lok
Sabha.
During the debate on the bill in the Upper House, a strong demand was made for setting up an independent body to decide
on their future pay.
As many as 10 members participated in the discussion and the demand for such a body was voiced by leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, who was supported by other members.
Replying to the debate, Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said, "There is a need for setting up a mechanism to decide the members' salary and pension. But wider discussions are required for that and I will come back to the House at an appropriate time."
The bill proposes to raise the daily allowance of members from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000 and constituency and office expense allowances each from Rs20,000 to Rs40,000.
It seeks to enhance pension of former MPs from Rs8,000 to
Rs20,000 with effect from the constitution of the present Lok
Sabha on May 18 last year.
The Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of MPs headed by Congress member Charandas Mahant had recommended a
hike in salary from Rs16,000 to Rs80,001 -- one rupee more
than that of the secretary to the government of India.
Bansal said, "We should not compare pension of MPs with government servants as they serve for 30-odd years. Whereas
MPs have a term of one-two years or maximum five years."
As the House took up the bill for discussion, the Left parties protested and later their m embers staged a walkout.
D Raja (CPI) said, "In the absence of an independent mechanism, MPs themselves deciding their salaries is not
justified and hence we walk out."
After the Left parties staged a walkout, the minister said, "If they don't want to take their salaries, it is their personal choice."
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