Salary Increased: The salaries of the esteemed Members of Parliament (MPs) in the country have been raised once again. The government has implemented a 24% increase, bringing their monthly salary to Rs 1.24 lakh, up from the previous Rs 1 lakh. This change has been communicated through a notification from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Adjustment Based on Inflation
This salary hike is based on the Cost Inflation Index and will take effect from April 1, 2023. In 2018, the Modi government established a policy to review MPs’ salaries and allowances every five years, taking into account the inflation rate. Along with the salary increase, adjustments have also been made to the daily allowance and pension.
Details of the Increases:
Daily Allowance (DA)
– Previous: Rs 2000 per day
– Current: Rs 2500 per day
Pension for Former MPs
– Previous: Rs 25,000 per month
– Current: Rs 31,000 per month
Additional Pension (for MPs with over 5 years of service)
– Previous: Rs 2000 per year
– Current: Rs 2500 per year
Constituency Allowance
– Previous: Rs 70,000 per month
– Current: Rs 87,000 per month
Office Expenses
– Previous: Rs 60,000 per month
– Current: Rs 75,000 per month (includes Rs 50,000 for a computer operator and Rs 25,000 for stationery)
Furniture Expenses
MPs are now allowed to purchase durable furniture worth up to Rs 1 lakh and non-durable furniture up to Rs 25,000.
Significant Changes in 2018
In 2018, then-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised MPs’ salaries from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. It was also decided that salary reviews would occur automatically every five years, eliminating the need for recommendations. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the government temporarily reduced MPs’ salaries by 30%, which was later reinstated.
What Benefits Do MPs Enjoy?
Free Air and Rail Travel: An MP can fly free of charge 34 times a year and has the option to transfer 8 tickets to colleagues or staff. They also enjoy complimentary travel in First AC on Indian Railways, along with an allowance of up to ₹16 per kilometer for road travel.
Free utilities: Residents in Delhi receive 50,000 units of complimentary electricity and 400,000 liters of free water, along with government housing. Additionally, there are provisions for 150,000 free calls to Lok Sabha MPs and 50,000 free calls to Rajya Sabha MPs.
Healthcare benefits: MPs and their spouses enjoy free medical treatment in both government and private hospitals. Retired MPs also benefit from free healthcare under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). If necessary treatments cannot be provided within the country, the government will cover the expenses for treatment abroad.
Official transportation and support: Members of Parliament are provided with government vehicles for official duties, a staff assistant for research purposes, and access to a subsidized canteen.
Why was the salary increase deemed necessary?
The government justified this salary hike by citing inflation as a key factor, indicating that it was essential to raise the salaries and allowances of MPs. This adjustment, based on the cost inflation index, resulted in a 24% increase this time.