BJP reserves views on 100 per cent hike in MPs' salary, says its government's call

NEW DELHI: BJP today sought to distance itself from a parliamentary panel's recommendation for a 100 per cent hike in MPs' salary besides a number of perks, saying it was for the government to take a call on it.

"We have nothing to say. It is our government at the Centre and the panel is headed by a senior member of our party. But the Centre has apparently put the report in cold storage. It is finally for the government to take a call on it," a party leader said.

The fact that the parliamentary panel is headed by BJP MP Yogi Aditynanath has forced the party to maintain a distance.

The panel has pitched for 100 per cent hike in salary and daily allowances of MPs and 75 per cent raise in pension of ex-MPs apart from facilities for their "companions" in place of "spouses".

In far-reaching recommendations, it also has sought the doubling of the existing Rs 50,000 salary of MPs and favoured increasing the pension of former parliamentarians from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000.

While the government has expressed its readiness to consider their demand for a hike in salary, constituency and office allowances and raising the expenditure limit on furniture, it is not in favour of the other recommendations, official sources said.

The panel is likely to meet on July 13 and prepare a final report taking into account the government's stand.