The Haryana Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to bring a Bill to hike the salary and allowances of MLAs.
Barring Congress, whose members are not attending the session, the ruling BJP, main opposition INLD, the BSP and Independents backed the demand for hike in pay and allowances, prompting Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to say, “Today, everyone is beaming with joy, there is clapping and unprecedented unity is seen (on the issue).”
Three days back, a House Committee was formed which studied the issue seeking information from neighbouring States on pay and allowances of the legislators. The Committee prepared the report favouring hike.
On the last day of the budget session of the Haryana Assembly, lone BSP member Tek Chand Sharma moved a resolution, saying salary and allowances of the MLAs should be increased.
“In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Delhi and Jharkhand, there have been examples of hike in pay and allowances, recently. A committee which had been formed three days back has submitted its report,” the BSP member said.
He told the House that while Congress may have stayed away from attending the proceedings to protest its three MLAs’ suspension for tearing copies of the Governor’s Address, the party legislator Lalit Nagar “had quickly given his view on the salary hike and signed the report”.
“This (resolution) should be passed today,” the BSP MLA said, even as there was loud thumping of the benches, both from BJP and main opposition INLD benches.
“We promise you (pointing towards Speaker) that nowhere will you find an MLA involved in any corrupt practice,” Tek Chand said, without elaborating.
INLD’s Zakir Hussain seconded the proposal, saying there was need to increase the salary and allowances of MLAs.
“The committee has given its report. Chief Minister has accepted in-principle the resolution put up here today,” Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said.
Gian Chand Gupta, Dr Banwari Lal (of BJP), Zakir Husain (INLD), Tek Chand (BSP), Lalit Nagar (Cong) and Jai Prakash (Independent) were the members of the committee. -- PTI
