New Delhi, August 16
The Union Cabinet today deferred a decision on hiking the salary and allowances of MPs, though the issue was discussed in detail.

The proposed increase is unlikely to be effected in the current session of Parliament.

Members of the Cabinet felt that raising MPs’ emoluments at this stage in the wake of allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games and the drought situation in some parts of the country would be seen in bad light, sources in the government said.

MPs currently get Rs 16,000 per month as salary, while a secretary to the government gets Rs 80,000 a month. The proposal is to hike the salary to Rs 50,000.

Besides the base salary, an MP gets a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 for each day when Parliament is in session or a sitting of a House committee is scheduled. A Member is also entitled to a constituency allowance of Rs 20,000 per month and office expense allowance of another Rs 20,000 each month.

Apart from these, he is also entitled to a certain number of air journeys, AC first-class train travels and rent-free flat or hostel accommodation through out his term.

The recommendation to increase MPs’ salary was made taking into account the consumer price index and the wage index for skilled urban labour.

The committee led by the Congress MP from Chhattishgarh, Charandas Mahant, had made a recommendation to fix MPs salary at Rs one rupee more than that of a Secretary.

The panel which took the decision included MPs from various parties, including S. S. Ahluwalia (BJP), V. Maitreyan (AIADMK), Rajiv Shukla (Congress) and Ramgopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party).

However, the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry suggested making it Rs 50,000. — PTI