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Parliamentary Salaries

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August 05, 2017

What is the issue?

  • The Tamil Nadu Assembly has recently voted to double the salaries of its legislators.
  • This has raised a debate on rationalising the salaries of members of legislatures.

What are the issues with the demand?

  • Tamil Nadu legislators’ demand comes at a time of farmers demanding drought relief package and loan waiver.
  • Recently, parliamentary representatives also have demanded an increase of their own fiscal compensation by 1,250% over the last two decades.
  • But the Parliament has seen less than 50% of Bills being scrutinised by parliamentary committees, defeating the very purpose of a deliberative Parliament.
  • Ideally, remunerations granted should be in proportion to the services that they have rendered to the nation.
  • The rush to pass Bills has also been inspired by a priority for politics rather than for policy.

What is to be done?

  • Instead of seeking pay in line with the private sector, India’s public representatives should be paid a reasonable wage, in proportion to their service.
  • An external independent body should determine that parliamentary salaries are fairly set.
  • Salary reviews should be conducted through an institutionalised process to ensure that increments are provided through a transparent and accountable process.
  • The receipts record of parliamentarians should be made public.
  •  Salaries should also be linked to their performance and to a minimum attendance of parliamentary sessions.

 

Source: The Hindu

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