This Article is From Aug 17, 2010

MPs defend salary hike demand, say price rise pinching them too

New Delhi: The issue of hike in salary and allowances of MPs figured in the Rajya Sabha today with members wanting to know by when the government proposed to increase their wages. 

Defending their demand, a member said price rise pinches them too. (Salary hike for MPs? Your Comments)

Rajniti Prasad of the RJD raised the issue when the House met for the day and instantly found support from members in the opposition benches.

"What has happened to the proposal to increase MPs' salary, we want to know," he said citing media reports that the Cabinet on Monday deferred a decision on the issue. (Read: MPs have to wait for salary hike)

Chairman Hamid Ansari said only questions can be taken up during the Question Hour but members were unrelenting.

But interestingly, senior BJP leader LK Advani has now asked his party MPs not to indulge in an open debate on MPs' salary. He advised the MPs to wait for the government to come up with a proposal.

"We are public servants but what is our salary? It's lower than the junior clerk and we work round the clock for five years. We are the representatives of the public. I don't question Pranab Babu's intention that there are corrupt MP's but he should have a look at our pay. This is an insult. The salary of an MLA in Goa is Rs 1 lakh," RJD president Lalu Yadav said.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the matter was under consideration of the government.

"The report of the Joint Committee on salary and allowances of Members of Parliament has been received by the government. It is under consideration," he said without giving a time frame by when it would be implemented.

"The report will be made effective from beginning of 15th Lok Sabha. Whenever the bill is passed, it will have retrospective effect," he said.

Mukherjee's reply did not satisfy members who insisted on knowing by when it will be implemented and why Cabinet deliberations were being selectively leaked to media.

Ansari did not allow anyone to speak on the issue and took up the listed questions.

"We are not discussing this matter. Please allow Question Hour to proceed," he said. "This is not the time (for raising the issue)."

The House then took up the listed agenda. (With PTI Inputs)
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