Persistent double-digit inflation, growing fiscal and revenue deficit, shadow of recession but 300% (Rs 50,000) salary hike and still dissatisfied MPs- are the unique characteristics of world’s largest democracy!!. As per Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2010, a package of 1.6 lakh a month for legislators have been ensured by way of pay and allowance with retrospective effect. Again, an MP is eligible for pension of Rs 20,000/month if he serves for five years!! Can we expect pension for life just after 5 years in office? Is salary hike justified?
We are living in a democratic setup where People’s Representatives have been given highest rank. Maintaining offices at different places, frequent visits to their constituencies, entertaining public coming from their constituencies, price rise, autonomy and independence of legislators and accountability for public policy justify this hike. But conscience of common people does not allow this hike. Are they really accountable People’s Representatives who decide the fate of our current as well as future generations?
First of all, this violates the principles of natural justice- one can’t be judge in his own case- the core principle of the Rule of Law. This decision could have been taken by independent body. Secondly, most of our MPs do not attend Parliament session. Even if they come, their sole motive is to disrupt the proceedings. Only 10% questions were answered orally during Question Hour in this Monsoon Session. Do our poor MPs get salary to create pandemonium in the Houses?
According to the National Election Watch (NEW), a nationwide campaign comprising of more than 1200 NGO working on electoral reforms, improving democracy and governance in India, in the 15th Lok Sabha there are 162 MPs (29.83%) with pending criminal cases. There are 76 MPs (14%) with serious pending criminal cases. There are pending criminal cases against 9 ministers in the current Lok Sabha. Should law breakers be allowed to become law makers?
Again, 315 of 543 MPs are crorepatis. The average assets of an MP is 5.33 cr. Interestingly, the chances of winning based on assets of candidates are 32.65 % (more than 5 cr), 18.47% (50 lakhs to 5 cr), 6.28 (50-10 lakhs), 0.43% (less than 10 lakhs). Statistics clearly reveal the role of money and muscle power in Indian elections.
There are 49 crorepati ministers in the new Lok Sabha. INC has 40, DMK has 5, NCP has 2 and JKN & AITC has 1 crorepati minister each. This is just the calculation based on disclosed assets and in reality it can be manifold. All the 13 MPs from Punjab are crorepatis. Do these poor crorepati MPs need salary hike?
They equate themselves with Secretaries of Government of India who get salary 80,000/month. But they forget that Secretaries are public servants and they are not allowed to run business. At the same time the majority of the MPs run their own businesses. It is rightly said that the emoluments to MPs should be measured on CTN (cost to nation) basis like in companies where the concept of CTC (cost to company) is prevalent.
As for as educational qualification is concerned we found that out of 543 MPs, 151 are graduates, 132 are post graduates and 107 are graduate professional, 54 are 12th, 46 are 10th, 21 are Ph.D, 9 are 5th, 9 are 8th, 4 are literate, 7 are others, 3 are not given. We have several instances of MPs uncomforting while taking oath!! Is it good practice to have no minimum educational qualification for MPs?
Can we compare profiles of these MPs with CEOs? Nowadays, politics is no more service. It has become business. Criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crimes have made things worst. They don’t know even national anthem and national song!! Rape accused becomes minister of state for home, and scam accused becomes Cabinet Minister in the name of political compulsions!! Netaji publicly says ‘Hum Jail Se Raaj Karenge’ aur aisa Karke Dikhate Hain!!
Why do we elect tainted representatives? In fact, we are left with Hobson’s choice. Clean persons are not willing to enter politics. I still remember one incident. A guy asked a question to T.N. Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, ‘to whom we should vote?’ in a seminar on ‘Electoral Reforms: Role of Youth’. The Physics genius and Palmist IAS replied ‘Jis candidate ke saath apani behen ki shaadi kar sakte hain’.
So Electoral Reforms not salary hike is the real issue. Most of our honourable MPs are unable to utilize even MPLADS fund. Gentlemen we are the future of India. We are expected to rise above personal interests. We must use franchise but use judiciously. Doston, hamare netaon ne to menhgai se nibatane ke liye apana rashta nikaal liya!! Now is the time for us to awake, arise and fight!!
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