Take a hike people!

Our MP’s demanded a pay hike and have got it. It’s a 300% increase and yet they are unhappy. They have stalled parliament for 2 days demanding higher than the revised salary.

There is nothing wrong in a pay hike that’s been due for as long as it was due in this case. The MP’s were drawing a salary of Rs. 16,000 which by all fair standards was low and thus a revision was called for.

However it is the percentage of the hike (300%!!) and the greed there after that gives reason to the anger and discomfort that one feels towards being understanding to their demands. Instead of the Rs. 50,000 base salary, they want it to be Rs.80,001/- because it would then be at least a rupee higher than the government secretaries!! Of course it is no rocket science to realize that the job profiles of the secretaries are far more cluttered and demanding than the lives and acumen of the MP’s* yet…Phew!

Another very vital element that is very casually mentioned or not mentioned in this salary debate is the “perks” that these elected members of parliament are entitled to making their salaries only a part of what they actually earn- legally!

For instance when their salary was Rs. 16,000/- apart from their office expenses, travel allowances, paid mobile bills and air tickets they would also get a daily allowance of Rs. 1000/-!!!, which means no expenditure at all for whatever else they need is compensated through gifts and favors extended by their well wishers and friends. Thus a salary of 16,000/- is as good as that of around 50,000/- or more!

Now with a base salary of 50,000 and all other expenses and allowances doubled along with a pension that’s almost tripled…they would be earning much more than what the figures show and anyone oblivious to this is under a delusion of being a very good actor for no one in their right minds is going to believe such ignorance.

I did believe that a decent pay structure may reduce corruption and still believe so when it comes to our law enforcement forces but for the MP’s*? I would rather ask myself to take a hike!

* conditions apply as exceptions do exist but unfortunately they are far too minuscule to be considered in any general statement!! :P