Delhi MLAs bag 400% hike |
Delhi MLAs have approved a 400% increase in their salary, accepting in totality the recommendations made by an independent committee that proposed a monthly payout of Rs 2.35 lakh to each MLA against the existing Rs 88,000. The bill was introduced - and passed - in face of opposition from the BJP MLAs who said that this was probably not the right time for MLAs to take an increment. The recommendations were proposed by an expert committee, headed by former secretary general of the Lok Sabha, PDT Achari, which was constituted on August 21 after several MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party complained that they were unable to make ends meet with the existing pay package. The party came in for further criticism in light of its statement that the government is running extremely low on funds and despite its `aam aadmi` credentials, sought to first ensure its own bank balance. While a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000 for water and electricity has been removed from the salary, several other perks have been added, which include Rs 70,000 as allowance for constituency, a one-time payment of Rs 1 lakh to furnish office, Rs 60,000 to make the office functional and Rs 1 lakh for purchase of computers.
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