Councillors demand increased allowances

Now, public representatives need monetary motivation to enable them to carry out their duties in an efficient manner. Cutting across party lines, councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have written a letter to the home ministry regarding the issue of increased allowance.

Now, public representatives need monetary motivation to enable them to carry out their duties in an efficient manner.

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Cutting across party lines, councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have written a letter to the home ministry regarding the issue of increased allowance.

“Councillors do a lot more work then MLAs. Hence, they should get more salary compared to MLAs. Step-motherly treatment is being meted out to us,” said Subhash Arya, leader of the MCD House.

“Councillors are more approachable and easily accessible to the public too. Their salary needs to be increased,” he added.

Arya further said that in Mumbai, councillors are eligible for a monthly sum.

“If Mumbai can allow it, why can’t a Delhi councillor also get it? Our MLAs are even given constituency allowance, money for fuel etc but councillors are not given anything,” he added.

Leader of opposition in the MCD, Jai Kishan Sharma, has also written to the Lt. Governor, asking him to increase their monthly allowance to Rs. 50,000 to enable councillors to meet their ‘petty expenses’.

effective and efficient manner,” said Sharma.

The councillors presently get an amount of Rs 300 for every meeting that they attend, and their phone bills are also paid by the MCD.

Currently, there is no provision under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act (DMAC), under which councillors can get an enhanced monthly salary.

“The increased amount will motivate us to work better for the betterment of people.

We have been voicing this concern for quite some time but no one has paid any attention,” added Arya.