Members to get a monthly package of $3,150.
The Delhi government has approved a 400 percent pay hike for MLAs and ministers, by passing NCT of Delhi (Salaries, Allowances, Pension) Amendment Bill 2015 on Thursday.
The Bill has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for final approval. If it is approved, Delhi MLAs will become the country’s best-paid legislators with a monthly package of Rs 210,000 (roughly $3,150) as against Rs 88,000 ($1,320) at present.
As Delhi is a union territory with a legislative assembly, all bills with financial implications have to be approved by the central government.
According to the Hindustan Times, once the Center gives approval, the basic salary of an MLA will rise from Rs 12,000 ($180) to Rs 50,000 ($750) and the monthly package will go up to around Rs 210,000.
Similarly, the basic salary of a minister will increase from Rs 20,000 ($300) to Rs 80,000 ($1,200). Clubbed with a sizable hike in allowances, a minister’s monthly emoluments will amount to Rs 360,000 (roughly $5,400) from Rs 120,000 ($1,800).
“The bill proposes to increase the salaries, allowances and other facilities of the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Delhi so as to facilitate them to work effectively in their fields,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, presenting the bill in the assembly.
The draft bill was based on a report submitted by a three-member committee chaired by former Secretary General of Lok Sabha PDT Achary.
“We have accepted all the recommendations of the panel,” Sisodia added.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejiriwal, has 67 MLAs and opposition BJP has only three members in the 70-member Delhi assembly.
BJP MLAs are not satisfied with the bill and said that this was probably not the right time for MLAs to take an increment.
“We will abstain from voting for this bill because we do not think this is the right time for it. Even if you have to introduce it, the increment needs to lowered,” said the leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta.