Bill likely to raise MPs' salary, allowances fivefold

New Delhi, June 23 (PTI) The government is planning to bring a Bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament next month to raise the salaries of MPs as also some allowances in the wake of a Standing Committee report recommending five-fold increase in the salaries of the law makers to Rs 80,000.

"The report of the Standing Committee has been received. It is under the consideration of the government. It is formulating its views and hopes to bring the Bill in the next session,"Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told PTI.

Reports have said that besides increase in salary, the other proposals include raising the daily allowance from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 when Parliament is in session. Office expense allowances are also recommended to be increased substantially so also their constituency allowance.

Among the proposals is also 34 free flights for the members to ensure that they remain in touch with their electorate.

Bansal, however, insisted that"no decision"has so far been taken on these recommendations and government was considering them.
Bill likely to raise MPs' salary, allowances

And, here are some more less-known facts about the Indian lawmaker:
On paper, the salary of an MP in India is Rs 144,000 per year (about $3,200), which works out to just Rs 12,000 (about $266) per month. But it is meagre only if you don't consider the numerous allowances and freebies an MP is entitled to. Here is a look at the allowances and perks that every MP -- India has 790 of them -- enjoys.

Each Indian MP in 2005 got: These have grown over the years till date...

Rs 14,000 (about $311) for office expenses every month, which includes Rs 3,000 for stationary items, Rs 1,000 on franking of letters and Rs 10,000 for secretariat services.

A monthly constituency allowance of Rs 10,000.

A daily allowance of Rs 500 when Parliament is in session. Parliament has three sessions every year. The Budget Session (February to May), Monsoon session (July to September), and Winter session (November and December).

A daily travel allowance of Rs 8 per kilometre.

Each MP and his spouse or companion are entitled to unlimited, free, first class railway travel anywhere in the country.

They can also travel anywhere in India -- with a spouse or companion -- 40 times by air free of cost every year, business class.

An MP gets a sprawling bungalow in the heart of New Delhi [ Images ] for which he pays a rent of just Rs 2,000 (about $44) per month.

Each MP gets near-free electricity of 50,000 units every year. And free water.

The MP's bungalow is furnished -- with air conditioners, refrigerators and television sets -- free of cost. Maintenance of the house -- including washing of sofa covers and curtains -- is done free of cost by the government.

MPs are entitled to three phone lines and 170,000 free local calls every year.
When an MP travels abroad officially, he is entitled to free business class air tickets. He is also paid a daily travelling allowance, which varies depending upon the country being visited.

Most medical expenses of MPs are taken care of by the Contributory Health Service Scheme of the Union government.

Each MP also gets Rs 20 million (about $434,782) each year from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Fund. But the MP does not get the money directly. Instead, it is transferred to respective district headquarters where projects are being implemented.

After an MP completes a term in office, he is entitled to pension. The basic monthly pension amount is Rs 3,000 (about $66). But it goes up according to the number of years an MP has served in Parliament.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India last year alleged that many MPs have violated norms in the usage of this money.
How much does an MP earn? Perks as on December 13, 2005

The real question: What is the MP's contribution towards poverty alleviation of our citizens? The answer is zilch!