Home India Aam Aadmi’s MLAs To Get ‘Khaas’ Salary In Delhi!

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta today criticised the report of the expert committee on the revision of salary and allowances of MLAs, demanding its review to make it more “rational”.

The AAP, on its part, points out that this is perhaps the first time that an independent panel was formed to look into the matter of legislators’ remuneration rather than them deciding on their own about the increase in salaries and other allowances. Apart from basic salary, the committee has recommended hiking constituency allowance from current Rs 18,000 to Rs 50,000, saying the current amount was grossly inadequate.

Following the different opinions, objections from the key leaders and lawmakers, the file and report of the Salary and Allowance committee was sent to a select committee.

“We have clearly stated that only those MLAs who do not opt for office space and amenities provided by the public agencies and who do not run office from residential premises will be entitled for this allowance”, it added.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators approach on Wednesday to revise their salaries by almost invited criticism from all quarters. How can a committee talk about the the salary of MLA alone, and not (of the) councillors? Even party MLAs expressed satisfaction with the proposal, though a few felt that a debate was required to do away with certain unnecessary components like the Rs 3 lakh per annum leave travel allowance. The “Daily” allowance of each MLA during every sitting of the House or its committees has been recommended to be hiked from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.

On the contrary another AAP leader and a section of APP MLA’s are against the increase of salaries for the legislators claiming there is rampant poverty in the country and farmers are being driven to suicide which are need to be addressed initially.

The party workers protesting outside the CM’s residence alleged that widows and senior citizens have not received their pension since 15 months and MLAs are getting huge salary hikes. The committee also proposed that MLAs should not be given free accommodation, and power and water reimbursements.

Member-Secretary of the Committee of Experts and Secretary, Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara, said the panel desisted from making any comparisons either with the Parliament or any of the state legislatures while making its recommendations.