Salary and perks of our legislators need a comprehensive look. Needless to say, they need to be compensated for their valuable time given for matters of state and public service, but a mechanism needs to be put in place to ensure that they get a fair amount and there is no significant disparity among legislators of different states.
Presently, members of different political parties unanimously approve their own salaries with lightning speed. The nation’s progress would have been fantastic if they would show the same concern for matters of state!
The author gives below the monthly salaries of few states to drive home the point.
|
State |
Increment Anouncement |
Monthly Increase Anounced (In Rs Lakhs) |
Increase |
|
Earlier |
Revised |
|
Telangana |
Apr-16 |
1.25 |
2.75 |
250% |
|
Maharashtra |
Aug-16 |
0.75 |
1.25 |
60% |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
Apr-16 |
0.71 |
1.10 |
60% |
|
Karnataka |
Apr-16 |
0.75 |
1.25 |
60% |
|
Delhi |
Dec-15 |
0.80 |
3.20 |
300% |
|
Himachal Pradesh |
Apr-16 |
0.90 |
1.45 |
60% |
|
Kashmir |
Aug-16 |
0.80 |
1.60 |
100% |
|
Jharkhand |
May-15 |
0.90 |
1.80 |
100% |
|
Tripura |
Apr-16 |
0.21 |
0.24 |
15% |
Source-various public anouncements
Disparity
One can see that variation is From Rs 24,000 p.m. for Tripura to Rs 2,75,000 p.m. for Telangana and Rs 3,20,000 for Delhi. Is this variation justifiable?
Even the above figures are not complete. The Honourable Legislators also get allowances under several heads which are hard to gather.
Gifts from State
Recently legislators in Bihar received microwave ovens as gift from education department. Had the education department gifted books it would have been understandable. Ministers came forward to justify these gifts saying that they have been getting diaries, watches, briefcases –termed as token gifts.
It needs to be debated whether there should be a policy in place for benefits to the legislators. There is a chance that some may use this to influence the law makers.
Moral Values
Legislators need to have a code of conduct regarding accepting anything at taxpayer’s expense. Any compensation has to be earned.
In 1963 Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri was dropped from the Ministry under the Kamaraj plan. Some people found him sitting in his home without a light. Upon being asked the reason for sitting in dark, he said, "From today all expenses will be borne by me."
Present day legislators should learn from above.
Pay Commission
As part of “Sushasan” envisaged by present Honourable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, I suggest to have a pay commission for legislators and other functionaries.
