As uncertainty gripped the traders on whether sealing drive would start in the city from Friday or not, the Delhi Assembly was busy introducing a Bill to enhance the salary and perks of MLAs and ministers.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit introduced two separate Bills – one for increase in the salary and allowances of the MLAs and another for that of the ministers and the chief minister. Now, the passage of the Bill is a mere formality as it would be done on Friday.
The Bill said that the MLAs in Goa and Maharastra get a higher salary than those of Delhi and justified the hike. For the ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition and Chief Whip, the new salary would be Rs 10,000 per month instead of Rs 4,000 at present.
The daily allowance would be Rs 500 per day from Rs 400 per day and the constituency allowance would be Rs 8000 per month instead of Rs 6000 at present.
For electricity, the chief minister would be reimbursed for a maximum of 5000 electric units per month from the ceiling of Rs 5000 per month at present. The Ministers would now be able to get reimbursement for 3000 electric units per month instead of Rs 5000 at present. The financial burden on the exchequer for ministers salary would be Rs 28 lakh per annum.
{{/usCountry}}For electricity, the chief minister would be reimbursed for a maximum of 5000 electric units per month from the ceiling of Rs 5000 per month at present. The Ministers would now be able to get reimbursement for 3000 electric units per month instead of Rs 5000 at present. The financial burden on the exchequer for ministers salary would be Rs 28 lakh per annum.
{{/usCountry}}For the MLAs, the salary has been fixed at Rs 6,000 per month from Rs 4,000 while the daily allowance would be Rs 500 from Rs 400. The constituency allowance would be Rs 8,000 from 6,000 and conveyance allowance would be Rs 4,000 per month from Rs 500. They would also get secretariat allowance of Rs 10,000 per month from Rs 7,000.
For telephone, the MLAs would get Rs 4,000 per month and for water Rs 2,000 per month. They would also get conveyance advance of Rs four lakh once during their five-year tenure. The burden on exchequer would be Rs 1.39 crores.
The Delhi Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2006: Cooperatives Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan introduced the Bill in the House. Power of Attorney holders in a co-operative group housing society would get voting rights in the election of the office-bearers.
Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis Bill, 2006: Introduced in the House by minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, the Bill seeks to set up a new commission for sweepers. The annual expenditure on this commission would be Rs 50 lakhs.
Email Amitabh Shukla: ashukla@hindustantimes.com