AAP govt's 400% pay hike gift to MLAs: Congress says loot, BJP calls it appalling

NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government's approval for a 400% hike in MLA salaries was slammed by the BJP and Congress on Friday, who termed it as "nothing but loot" of Delhi residents' hard-earned money.

Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken used the occassion to take a potshot at the Delhi government's push for the anti-corruption legislation, Jan Lokpal Bill.

"In its 1st year, MLAs from party named as 'Aam Aadmi' resolved to increase their salary by 333% to Rs 2.6 lakh per month. Since then they have given themselves an annual hike of 10%. Why push for Lokpal when you have approved a loot," Maken tweeted.

1/2 In its 1st year,MLAs from Party named as 'Aam Aadmi' resolved to increase their salary+ by 333% to Rs2.6Lac/PM pic.twitter.com/s5Q2F6DuWe

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) December 3, 2015

Since they've awarded themselves annual hike of 10%- At the end of 5th yr-it will be Rs4.20Lac/PM or .5crore/yr- Why need Lokpal? ??? ??!

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) December 3, 2015

The salary recommendations made by an independent committee proposes a monthly payout of Rs 2.35 lakh to each MLA against the existing Rs 88,000.

The bill was introduced, and passed, on Thursday in face of Opposition from BJP MLAs who said that this was probably not the right time for MLAs to take an increment. "Even if you have to introduce it, the increment needs to lowered," said leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta.

"It is appalling to see lawmakers prioritising their own interests and raising their own salaries by a mammoth 400%," Gupta said. "At a time when sanitation workers of municipal corporations of the city are demanding regular salaries and payment of arrears, the 400% hike in salaries of MLAs is condemnable," he said.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit termed the hike as AAP's double standards. "One one hand you dilly dally pay for sanitation workers in the state and then on the other you go ahead and approve a 400% hike. It seriously casts doubt on AAP's stand for common people and their credibility".

AAP spokesperson Aashutosh, however, defended the hike, saying it would push for greater transparency and root out corruption among ranks. "The pay hike is a push towards AAP's agenda for good governance," he said.

Some MLAs justified the rise, saying they had emerged from the anti-corruption movement and had no additional income with which to support their families or perform the duties expected of a legislative member.

"Our salaries finish in the first 10 days of the month. We have now added responsibilities of running a constituency office, paying staff and meeting social obligations. I have to maintain a vehicle for official work and the salary we are getting at present is just about sufficient to meet the expenses," said AAP MLA from Delhi's Burai Sanjeev Jha.

"There is no denying the fact that MLAs have several challenges. But even in adverse condition if the message goes out that we have taken this matter on priority business, it will send a wrong message," said Gupta.

(With inputs from ET Bureau)