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Thursday, Aug 24, 2006

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National

Mechanism to determine MPs' salaries

Special Correspondent

A Bill to this effect will be introduced in the next session, says Dasmunsi

NEW DELHI: A permanent mechanism to determine the salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament will be in place by the start of the 15th Lok Sabha. And a Bill to provide for such a mechanism will be introduced in the next session of Parliament.

An assurance to this effect was given to the Lok Sabha by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi on Wednesday while responding to the discussion on the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2006.

The Bill was passed by voice vote with the Left parties opposing it on the ground that it was improper for MPs to be sitting in judgment on their own salaries and perks. With some members questioning the haste with which the Bill was brought in, Mr. Dasmunsi said if this was not done then the salaries and allowances of MPs would revert to the 2001 level as the last amendment was valid only till September 14, 2006.

The Government would increase the pension for MPs further. Though the Cabinet had initially decided that it would be Rs. 6,000 a month as against the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of MPs' recommendation of Rs. 8,000. The Government on Tuesday settled for the bigger amount. The Association of Ex-MPs met him on Tuesday and he later took up the matter with the Prime Minister who agreed to the Committee's recommendation, Mr. Dasmunsi said.

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