Uproar over delay in hiking pay for MPs

   NEW DELHI: Angry members caused uproar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday over  the delay in raising their salaries and allowances. This led to the  adjournment of the House for two hours. Later, the government gave an  assurance that an amended bill would be introduced in the current session
itself.

    The issue was raised by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad. He  vociferously demanded a hike as recommended by the Joint Parliamentary  Committee (JPC) on Salaries and Allowances of MPs. He was supported by  Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh and members of the Bahujan Samaj Party,
the Janata Dal (United), the Shiv Sena and the Trinamool Congress. Left members distanced themselves from the issue, as their parties have  historically been opposing any move by Parliament to decide on the salary  and allowances of members; they favoured an independent commission. Speaker Meira Kumar tried to pacify the members, but her efforts went in  vain and the House had to be adjourned till 2 p.m. As soon as the House  re-assembled, Mr. Prasad and other members again noisily raised their
demand.

   Intervening, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee  said it had to be done through legislation. “A bill has to be brought in to  amend the Salaries and Allowances of Member Of Parliament Act, 1954. We are trying to bring in legislation in this session itself.” Mr. Mukherjee said the government was “fully aware of the sensitivities  of the members” and legislation would “truly reflect” the JPC's suggestions.

   “We are ready. Bring the bill tomorrow, we will pass it in two minutes,”  Mr. Prasad said, evoking laughter from the members. In the Rajya Sabha, the government said the report by the JPC was under  consideration, and irrespective of when the Bill was passed, it would come  into effect from the date of the constitution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

   Separately, the CPI(M) said it was opposed to the manner in which members  gave themselves an increase in the salary and allowance. It wanted a  systemic mechanism to determine the periodic revision as followed in some  other parliamentary democracies. “You don't sit on judgment on your own  issue,” party leader Sitaram Yechury said. At press conference, he said the party would not take part in the  discussion on the bill when it came to Parliament. The party advocated a  mechanism through which the issue could be determined.

   In 2006, the then Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Suresh Pachauri,  indicated that the government was willing to consider the demand and come  back to Parliament.

 Source - THE HINDU