Delhi Assembly sets up a panel after MLAs demand salary hike

The committee, constituted by Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, will also review the demand to increase the number of data entry operators assigned to each MLA from two to four

The Delhi Assembly on Wednesday formed a five-member committee to examine legislators’ demands for an increase in their salary and benefits, following complaints from both treasury and opposition benches that their salaries are the “lowest” in the country.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta speaks during the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly on Wednesday. (PTI)

The committee, constituted by Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, will also review the demand to increase the number of data entry operators assigned to each MLA from two to four.

“The speaker has constituted an ad-hoc committee to review the salaries, allowances, and other facilities of legislators and to provide appropriate recommendations. This decision was taken keeping in view the sentiments and requirements of the members. The objective of the committee is to examine the current status of salaries and allowances and to consider potential amendments, so that legislators may receive suitable facilities,” Delhi Assembly said in a statement.

The last salary revision for Delhi MLAs was in March 2023, when they received a 66.67% hike, raising their total monthly salary and allowances from ₹54,000 to ₹90,000. Salaries and allowances for the chief minister, ministers, speaker, deputy speaker, chief whip, and leader of the opposition increased from ₹72,000 to ₹1,70,000 per month. The salary of then CM Arvind Kejriwal rose 136% to ₹1.7 lakh per month.

To be sure, the development comes days after the salaries of members of Parliament was hiked by 24%, using a new mechanism that will periodically review MPs’ remunerations based on inflation.

During the third sitting of the ongoing budget session, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Surya Prakash Khatri moved a motion demanding that each MLA be assigned four data entry operators instead of two, with their remuneration increased. “This House moves that for proper execution of official work, the number of Data Entry Operators working with each MLA be increased from 2 to 4 and their remuneration be enhanced as per skilled category under the Minimum Wages Act,” the motion read.

MLAs currently receive ₹15,000 per month for hiring data entry operators, an amount unchanged since 2008. BJP MLA Abhay Verma told the House that the minimum wage for skilled labor had increased to ₹26,800, and the operators’ pay should be revised accordingly.

During the discussion, MLAs from both parties argued that their salaries should also be revised.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sanjeev Jha MLA Sanjeev Jha claimed Delhi MLAs receive the lowest salaries in India. “The salary of Delhi MLAs should be in line with those in other states so that we can effectively carry out constituency work,” Jha said while supporting the BJP MLA’s proposal.

BJP MLA Abhay Verma backed the demand, urging unanimous approval of Khatri’s proposal. BJP MLA Kulwant Rana argued that Delhi legislators should receive “respectable” salaries similar to their counterparts in other states.

AAP MLA Vishesh Ravi urged the Delhi government to prepare a salary revision proposal and send it to the Centre for approval. “If MLAs are expected to work with integrity, they should receive respectable salaries. Recently, MPs’ salaries were increased, yet the last salary revision for Delhi MLAs was not even half of what the previous committee had recommended,” Ravi said.

The ad-hoc committee, chaired by BJP chief whip Abhay Verma, includes BJP MLAs Surya Prakash Khatri and Poonam Sharma, along with AAP MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Vishesh Ravi.

“These members have been entrusted with the responsibility of providing fair and balanced recommendations after considering various aspects. The committee shall review the workload, responsibilities, and necessary resources of legislators,” the Assembly statement read.

Speaker Gupta said the committee must submit its report within 15 days. “The committee must complete its review within the stipulated timeframe and submit its recommendations to the Speaker for further necessary action. This decision is an important step towards addressing concerns related to the remuneration and facilities of legislators and enhancing their efficiency in discharging their duties,” Gupta said.

Delhi home minister Ashish Sood acknowledged the legislators’ concerns and assured that the government would address the matter through the committee.