The Delhi Cabinet has approved the proposal of Salaries and Allowances Committee, headed by AAP MlA Vishesh Ravi, to hike MlAs’ salary and allowances.
Also, the Cabinet has approved another proposal of hiking Chief Minister and Ministers’ salary and allowances.
“There are two bills. One is related to MlAs salary while the second Bill is related to Chief Minister and Ministers salary. The proposal is being sent to lieutenant Governor for approval. The Bills also need approval from Ministry of Home Affairs before tabling it in the Delhi Assembly,” said sources, adding that there is no change in the proposal of basic salary structure but some changes have been made in the allowances and perks of MlAs.
It is noted that the lawmakers’ salary was last increased by 100 per cent in September 2011 by then Sheila Dikshit Government, citing inflation and the rise in the cost of living cost.
The MlAs Salary and Allowances Committee headed by AAP MlA Vishesh Ravi had accepted the recommendations of the three-member committee headed by former Secretary General of lok Sabha PDT Achary to hike in MlAs allowances and salary. The committee had favoured a 400 per cent hike in basic salary of MlAs from Rs12,000 to
Rs50,000 per month. Overall, the hike in salary recommended has been 138 per cent.
In July, a group of AAP legislatiors had demanded a significant hike in salary, arguing their earnings were not enough to run their family and offices. The Committee had recommended to increase the existing salary of MlAs from Rs12,000 per month to Rs50,000 per month. Also, total salary and allowances of MlAs have been recommended to be enhanced from the present Rs88,000 per month to Rs2.10 lakh per month. Apart from basic salary, the committee has recommended hiking constituency allowance from current Rs18,000 to Rs50,000, saying the current amount was “grossly” inadequate.
The committee had also recommended a hike in monthly pension from the existing Rs7,500 to Rs15,000 per month for first term of membership and an additional pension of Rs1,000 per month for every successive year of membership beyond the first term. The family pension has been recommended at 50 per cent of the pension being paid to a deceased member or an ex-member.