Monday, where parliamentary panel's approval for a 100% pay hike in MPs' payment may be expecting the PMO's nod, but as per the government sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's specified position has been against politicians deciding their own pay and allowances.
According to sources, though the PM's take on the present round of approvals is not known, Modi has supported linking salary hikes for MPs with increments for people holding other posts, like the President and Vice-President or cabinet secretary. And the salary of lawmakers will take up to 1 lakh per month from 50 thousand per month. And if it will be applicable the government will have to shell out over Rs 250 crore per year for this.
Thursday evening, the parliamentary panel's report recommending the pay hike was approved by finance minister Arun Jaitley and submitted to the PMO late. The panel has not only recommended a hike in salary but also doubling the constituency allowance and secretarial assistance allowance from Rs 45,000 to Rs 90,000 per month.
Even the furniture allowance may go up to a substantial Rs 1,50,000. The parliamentary panel also recommended that all MPs be given a broadband BSNL connection for Rs 1,700 per month, to be installed at their official residence in their constituency.