ARE OUR MPs WORTH THEIR SALARIES? 1st September 2010 Issue

By Firoz.T.Totanawala

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

1st September 2010 Issue 

ARE OUR MPs WORTH THEIR SALARIES?

Furor, pandemonium, halla gulla and discussions after discussions in the Lok Sabha and surprisingly every single MP was present not for the purpose of discussing or indulging into a debate on the pressing issues like, the innocent victims of Kashmir, the inability to control the situation by Omar Abdullah, the shoe throwing incident or Kalmadi's CWG scam worth more than Rs. 28,000 cr or the naxal menace or still the devastating floods of Yamuna or the farmers agitation against loosing their lands for the Yamuna Expressway, but for the sack of hiking our beloved MPs salaries and their fringe benefits leaving behind the issues of priority to the dogs.

Born with a silver spoon

Every section of the working class whether it's skilled or otherwise has to undergo the litmus test of one's capability and the reward in the form of wages that would be awarded to them appropriately according to the specified yardstick. However, our beloved MPs are exempted from all these and placed on an exclusive platform, where the reward flows to them freely, mostly luxurious in nature.

A hike of 200 per cent and still demanding

Although a Most Privileged (MP) neta's current basic salary is at Rs. 16,000/- per month or Rs. 1,92,000/- per annum, the cumulative fringe benefits of the remaining other 15 parameters if compounded would exceed Rs. 45 lakhs per annum. Friday's decision has hiked their basic salary to Rs. 50,000/-, that is, 300 per cent increase leading to the cumulated amount of Rs. 60 lakhs per annum, however their demand still is at Rs. 67 lakhs with an increase in salary at Rs. 80,000/-.

Wealthy becomes wealthier

Majority of the sitting MPs are wealthy enough, whose average assets is estimated to be in the range of Rs. 4-5 cr, excluding a handful of few whose assets may exceed even Rs. 100 cr, for them drawing a salary of Rs. 50,000/- is like the pocket money offered to a student. Besides, the MPs are exempted from paying for water, electricity and other civic taxes during their tenure. The quantum of their assets multiplies by many folds at the end of their tenure and by every successive term thereafter.

Less productivity

During the current session of the Lok Sabha a mere 64 days of convening was done when compared to 151 days of sitting in 1956. 30 Legislative Bills were passed during these sittings that too without any discussions or debate and 8 Bills were passed in the winter session alone within 5 minutes.

More lethargic and acting against conscience

Our current elected representatives are lethargic and never ever have shown any sense of responsiveness towards addressing the problems which our nation is reeling under and no effective measures were initiated towards solving them till date.  Netas, they get elected with the only intention to conquer the seat of power and never with to discharge their bounden duties. Lethargic attitude, lack of conscience, dedication and sincerity are the signs of their hallmark. While being so how one can support their claims to hike the salary and perks?

Is it not ridiculous?