Independent mechanism needed to fix salaries of MPs: Yogendra Yadav

NAGPUR: There should be an independent mechanism to decide the salary structure of the members of Parliament, said Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav here today, opposing the proposal to hike the salary and allowances of legislators.

"The MPs want to increase the allowances and not the salary, because allowances are not taxable. This clearly shows the motive of elected members," Yadav said, speaking to reporters here.

It was surprising that MPs themselves were moving a proposal to increase their salaries and perks, he said, adding, it was even more shocking that MPs took allowances for attending a Parliament session.

They are elected as members of the Parliament and are duty-bound to attend the session, he said.

There should be fixed norms and "an independent mechanism" for deciding salary-related issues of MPs, said the psephologist-turned politician.

A parliamentary panel had recently pitched for a 100 per cent hike in salaries, constituency allowance and office allowance of MPs.

Speaking on the Lalit Modi-Sushma Swaraj episode, he said the External Affairs Minister should resign on moral grounds.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should not only resign but also be booked under criminal law for her written instructions not to disclose her help to Lalit Modi when latter was immigrating to UK, Yadav said.

The Swaraj Abhiyan would focus on anti-corruption campaign through the noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan and help the RTI activists who are facing threats for exposing corruption, he said.