Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a different take on the impending salary hike for Members of Parliament.


PM Modi is keen that the pay hike should be linked to either the Pay Commission for government employees or that an institution for MPs be esgtablished which will accept suggestions, hold discussions and give its decision on pay hikes once in three years, on the lines of a Pay Commission.


Modi does not want MP salaries to be hiked each and every time the Government thinks it fit to introduce a Bill in Parliament.  The PM believes it would harm public sentiment towards the government especially with five states going to the polls now. While PM Modi has always been particular to court public opinion, he has been distant from MPs.


With Parliament proceedings marked by disruptions from the Oppostion, especially Congress MPs, the PM feels it sends a wrong signal to India watchers, to give MPs pay hikes when there is little work done.

Modi wants to discuss the pay hike with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and presiding officers of both houses before taking a final call.

Members of Parliament have recommended a 100 per cent hike in salaries and allowances for themselves, and say they deserve a raise in view of their "good conduct." A bill for this is expected to passed in the next session of Parliament.

A parliamentary committee has suggested that the salary of MPs be raised from Rs. 50,000 to a lakh a month and a constituency allowance from Rs. 45000 to 90000. If the committee's proposal are accepted, the total compensation package for an MP will go up from Rs. 1,40,000 to 2,80,000.

The committee, headed by the BJP's Yogi Adityanath has also recommended a 75 per cent rise in pensions, and an automatic revision in salaries periodically. MPs' salaries were last hiked six years ago.

A cabinet note on this has been sent to all ministries for feedback, before the recommendations are presented to Parliament for approval.