MPs’ allowances hiked by Rs. 10,000 per month

In a bid to placate Members of Parliament demanding higher pay packages, the government on Monday agreed to further hike their monthly allowances by Rs. 10,000.

The Union Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to increase the office and constituency allowances of MPs by Rs. 5000 each per month.

The decision comes against the backdrop of a section of lawmakers expressing unhappiness over the increase proposed by the Cabinet last week.

The Cabinet had not accepted the proposal of the Joint Parliamentary Committee to hike their salaries from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 80,000 and instead pegged it at Rs. 50,000 per month.

Besides, it had hiked the office and constituency allowances from Rs. 20,000 per month each to Rs. 40,000 per month each.

Now, the constituency and office allowance of MPs would be Rs. 45,000 each per month, sources in the government said.

The Lok Sabha had witnessed uproar last week by RJD, SP and JD(U) members over government’s decision with agitated members of these parties dubbing it as an insult to Parliament.

BJP, RJD, SP and JD(U) leaders had a meeting with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday over the issue after which the government had assured them to take appropriate steps.