Cabinet to discuss MPs salary enhancement

New Delhi, Aug 23 (ANI): The Union Cabinet will meet today to consider another revision in the pay and perks of Members of Parliament (MPs).

On Friday, the Cabinet had cleared a 300 per cent salary hike for MPs that took their salaries from Rs. 16,000 a month to Rs. 50,000 a month.

However, the amount was promptly rejected by political leaders of the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, who argued it should be, at least 80,001, a rupee more than what a secretary to government earns.

As a compromise, the government decided to increase the constituency allowance and office allowance, which are not taxable, by an amount of Rs. 10,000.

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

Apart from the base salary, an MP gets a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 for each day that he or she attends Parliament while it is in session or during a sitting of a House committee.

A member is entitled for constituency allowance of Rs 20,000 per month and office expense allowance of another Rs 20,000 per month.

Every MP can avail 34 single air journeys during a year with spouse or any number of companions or relatives.

The last hike in salaries and allowances of 795 MPs -- 545 members of Lok Sabha and 250 members of Rajya Sabha-came into effect about 10 years ago. (ANI)