Rajasthan MLAs united on pay hike

For once there was complete unanimity and bonhomie between treasury and Opposition benches. It was difficult to believe that earlier in the day they were so bitterly fighting with each other that led to suspension of 14 Opposition MLAs.

As the government tabled bills to hike salaries of chief minister, ministers, speaker, deputy speaker, chief whip and legislators, there was not even a murmur of protest.

Not even for the sake of symbolism any opposition MLA raised hand to object the 1.5-times hike in their salaries and allowances as Left parties legislators used to do.

The state Assembly unanimously passed by voice vote the Rajasthan Minister’s Salaries (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017. The proposed increase in salaries is estimated to involve a recurring expenditure of about `1.55 crore per annum.

The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (Officers and Members Emoluments and Pension Amendment) Bill 2017 will involve an expenditure of `17.45 crore per

Several Opposition MLAs were suspended a day earlier. But on Thursday both sides kept mum when their salaries were hiked

annum. Rajasthan has a house of 200 MLAs.

In just 10 minutes, three bills were passed. On the other hand, 18 lakh employees of the state government have been waiting for 7th Pay Commission for more than a year.

While, more than a decade has passed since the state government implemented 6th Pay Commission recommendations for government employees, for the legislators this is second hike in five years.

Just following in the footsteps of its predecessor Ashok Gehlot government, the BJP government has also increased salary of ministers and MLAs in the penultimate year of its five year term.

The chief minister will now get a basic salary of `55,000, which was earlier `35,000. Similarly, ministers will earn `45,000 from `30,000.

Former CMs will now be treated at par with Cabinet ministers.