The MP salary issue disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha leading to repeated adjournments on Friday. The House was first adjourned till noon, then till 2 P.M. and finally for the day. The trouble started during the question hour when members belonging to RJD, SP and some other parties trooped into the well of the house in protest against the Cabinet decision approving 50 thousand rupee monthly salary for MPs. They wanted that the recommendation of the Joint committee of Parliament for their salaries to be increased to more than 80 thousand drawn by the Cabinet Secretary to be accepted by the government. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal said that the members can have a full fledged discussion on the issue when the bill on the hike in the salaries is introduced in the House. However, this did not appease the protesting members and they continued to raise pitch. The Speaker then adjourned the House till noon. When the House reassembled, there was no change in the situation as members continued to shout slogans. The House was then adjourned till 2 P.M. after laying of papers. When the House met again, there was no let up in the situation and the midst of din the House passed the Indian Medical Council Bill after which the House adjourned for the day. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet has given its approval for the hike in the salary of the members of Parliament. The meeting chaired by the Prime Minister held on Friday morning gave its nod for the amendment in the law relating to the MPs salaries by increasing the monthly salary from 16 thousand to 50 thousand rupees, the pension of the MPs from eight thousand to twenty thousand rupees, daily allowance during Parliament session from one thousand to two thousand rupees and office allowance from 20 thousand to 40 thousand rupees. The Constituency allowance is also proposed to be increased from 20 thousand to 40 thousand, conveyance advance from one lakh to four lakh and mileage allowance from 13 rupees to 16 rupees per km. AIR correspondent reports, that following the approval of the cabinet a bill will be brought in the Parliament in this regard.
News On AIR | August 20, 2010 2:59 PM
LS adjourns on protests over MPs' salary issue