Salary hike for MPs proposed

New Delhi, July 2: A parliamentary panel has recommended a hike in the salaries of MPs by almost 100 percent, sources said on Thursday.

The panel, headed by BJP leader Yogi Adityath, also recommended around 75 percent raise in pensions and an automatic mechanism for salary hike for MPs. "A hike has been long overdue. The salary at present is Rs.50,000 which is not a lot in present times," said a member of parliament. In 2010, a bill was passed by the Lok Sabha to hike salaries of MPs by over three times from Rs.16,000 to Rs.50,000 per month.

At that time the daily allowance paid to MPs when they attend parliament was hiked to Rs.2,000 from Rs.1,000, constituency allowance was increased to Rs.45,000 per month from Rs.20,000 and office expenses (for staff, stationery and postage) was also raised to Rs.45,000 per month from Rs.20,000.

Other benefits include 50,000 free calls from an allotted landline phone, 50,000 units of free electricity and 4,000 kilo-litres of free water.

The Rs.2,000 daily allowance during sessions is also expected to be increased. The panel has also suggested that the health benefits the lawmakers avail of via the Central Government Health Scheme should be extended to their children and grandchildren as well. The recommendations of a parliamentary panel are, however, not mandatory for the government.