Activists not happy about MLA salary hike

Chennai: The MLAs might have been all smiles after hearing about almost 100 per cent hike in their salaries, but activists decried the move, seeking to know the reasons behind the “sudden increase” in their pay and the lack of transparency in deciding them.

The activists questioned why MLAs need a salary hike when they don’t utilise their Local Area Development (LAD) fund to ensure the betterment of their electorate.

“In general, increasing of salaries should not be a problem if there is enough transparency and accountability. But, with the public perception of them is corrupt, just the announcement itself without transparency cannot be appreciated,” Jayaram Venkatesan, convener, Arappor Iyakkam, told Deccan Chronicle.

However, Ku. Srinivasan, former MLA from Park Town, said “If you are an MLA or a politician you will have to attend a wedding, funerals and at times also help party men in financial stress. I have paid school fees for children in my harbour constituency and also paid medical insurance for auto drivers associated with my party,” he said.  

“This is a positive approach by EPS. For example, Sriperumbudur constituency is spread over more than 40-kilometre stretch and how does one travel without travel allowance?” he asked.