SRINAGAR: Keeping aside their political differences, lawmakers of all hues today got together in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and Legislative Council to demand hike in their salaries by three times to touch Rs 2.5 lakh per month.
They also demanded more than three-time increase in the constituency development fund to Rs five crore from the current Rs 1.5 crore as well as raise in the wages of their assistants.
The demand for raise in the salary of MLCs to Rs 2.5 lakh came in the Legislative Council while members were speaking during the discussion on budget presented on May 30.
The MLCs as well as MLAs currently get Rs 80,000 as salary besides some perks for visiting their constituencies etc.
If approved, it will be third hike in the salary of legislators in the past 10 years.
The demand was raised by Congress MLC G N Monga who said the legislators were being paid a meagre amount which was not enough in today’s times.
“We are paid a basic salary of Rs 35,000 which is a meagre amount. There is a need to increase our salary as we have to cater to a large public and this amount is not enough in today’s times,” Monga said and got instant support from other members, including BJP, who thumped desks. (AGENCIES)
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