NEW DELHI: The Members of the Legislative assembly of Delhi have on Thursday approved a proposal to increase their salary by 400%, as per the recommendations of an independent committee. The committee recommended a monthly payout of Rs 2.35 lakh to each MLA, against the existing Rs 80,000 earlier.
With the increase in their salaries, the Delhi MLA’s could become the country’s highest paid MLAs.
Opposition BJP has opposed the move from the government and abstained to cast their vote on the ‘salary hike bill’ introduced in the assembly on Thursday. “This is not a fair act from the government. I don’t think this is necessary at this time where the state is suffering with low funds in the treasury. Even if you have to introduce it, the increment must be lowered. We will not participate in this voting”, leader of opposition Vijender Gupta said.
The recommendations were made by a committee headed by the former secretary general of Lok Sabha, PDT Achari. The committee was constituted in August, 2015 when several ruling party MLA’s complained of inadequate salaries.
However, the salary package to each MLA has been revised in a way which technically says, that each MLA will be entitled to get Rs 50,000 as a monthly salary. In addition, each MLA will be receiving other monthly allowance such as constituency and office assistance allowances which stands at Rs 50,000 and 70,000 respectively. Apart from this, each MLA will receive a one time allowance of Rs 3,00,000 for foreign travel expenses and Rs 1,00,000 for office furnishing.
When asked about the increased pay package, AAP MLA MAL Sanjeev Jha said “You see, the basic salary of MLAs in Assam has been Rs 60,000 since 2014. These amendments will only guarantee us a Rs 50,000 salary per month. The package includes allowances to run our offices and meet the expenditure that incurs while meeting social obligations”.