Parliamentary panel holds discussion with Parliament Affairs Ministry on MPs salary

New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel, which had recommended a considerable raise in the salary and allowances of MPs, today held a discussion with the representatives of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs amid indications that the government is willing to accept a number of its demands. However, members remained tight-lipped about what transpired in the meeting.

Parliamentary Affairs Ministry had a few months ago drafted a proposal for the Union Cabinet for its consideration with recommendations to increase the salary of an MP from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, constituency allowance from Rs 45,000 to Rs 90,000 and secretarial assistance plus office allowance from Rs 45,000 to Rs 90,000. It also proposed to increase basic pension from Rs 20,000 per month to Rs 35,000. There is also an agreement on increasing the car loan and furniture allowance for MPs.

With assembly elections in five states over, the Union Cabinet is likely to take a view on the proposal soon. Sources said the draft has again been sent to various ministries for their comments after some new suggestions were incorporated into it. "It will take 15-20 more days for the comments to arrive from those ministries. After which a revised draft will be prepared for the Cabinet," a source said.

Parliament will have to amend the Salary, Allowance and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill to give effect to these changes.

Members had been insisting that their pay and perks should be equal to that of the Cabinet Secretary. In the panel's last meeting on February 10, several members had demanded that the Centre's proposed move to double salary and allowances of MPs be implemented fast.

They had also insisted that even if the government sets up any independent mechanism to suggest the periodic revision in the hike of MP's salary and perks, the same should be routed through the Parliamentary committee, which draws its power from Parliament.