Re: Re: Salary for legislators.

["K KUSH" <kkush@mailcity.com>]

Utkarsh: Will it be right to assume that you are not opposed to government being
in the housing business?  Where is the justification for government providing housing
for legislators once this proposed increase is accepted?  Otherwise, shouldn't you
be including the fair rental value of the two residences in this proposed salary?
 Assuming that the two residences will cost on average Rs.30,000/month, the actual
salary will be Rs.130,000 for an MP and Rs.105,000 for an MLA.   Assuming that these
MPs  are not above the law, and will pay taxes, then let me guess that the current
rate of taxation in that income group will be at least 50% .  So the actual  salary
will have to be Rs.165,000 per month to let legislators take home Rs.100,000.   

On this one I fully agree with Sanjeev:  What is important at this point are not
actual numbers but the general principle which is that legislators ought to be paid
better and better as things progress.
Another general principle that I am proposing is that there should be no discrepancy
in the salaries of Prime mInister, ministers (any level), and the legislators.  The
reason behind this proposal are: (1) since practically speaking they are all legislators
there should be no difference in salaries and perks provided to ministers and legislators.
(2) equal salary and equal perks, at least, in principle puts all legislators on
the same level, which increases the prestige of a legislators and somewhat takes
away that incentive to be included in the cabinet at all costs.

However, my earlier contention remains that merely raising the salaries of legislators
is not a cure all for strenghtening the institution of the parliament.
Another doubt I have on this proposal is its political feasibility.  You cannot,
and should not,  raise the salaries of just one component (legislative branch) of
the government while ignoring others who play an equal role, example, the judiciary,
law-enforcemnt and other civil servants.  And in all this you cannot ignore the armed
forces, who will probably rebel if they are ignored!
The question is how do you strengthen government institutions, and high salary is
a very small component of that effort.       Regards,
Kush Khatri, D.C.


>I propose a salary of Rs. 100,000 per month to an MP and Rs 75,000 per month for

>an MLA. High Government officials should be paid in the range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs

>75,000 per month. Do we agree on such numbers for the manifesto purposes. I think

>I had proposed the reasons for such numbers earlier. I think most of the MPs do
get
>a residence in Delhi as well in their constituency.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Utkarsh
>
>
>
>I fully support the following proposal from Utkarsh. I wud say you need a
>>mimimum of Rs. 40-50,000 pm plus free decent housing and other usual civil
>>service benefits to attract the right kind.
>>
>>suresh
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>HI EveryOne:
>>
>>Just a thought. As a group we should ask our legislators and lawmakers to
>>be paid
>>well to do a good job. In my understanding, it will bring educated and able
>>individuals
>>to give a second look for a career in legislative branch of government. Any
>>body
>>has any idea how much an MLA and MP makes? I have read some numbers.  But
>>would like
>>to hear a factual number. Can anyone propose a salary for such important
>>positions
>>to reform India's policy making?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Utkarsh Kansal  
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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