Agitated over delay in raise in their salaries and allowances, members of Parliament cutting across party lines raked up the issue today rocking Parliament and forcing the government to give an assurance that it would try to bring a bill in this regard during the current session.
Members created an uproar in the Lok Sabha during zero hour, forcing its adjournment for two hours.
A day after the Union cabinet deferred a decision on the proposed three-fold increase from Rs 16,000, an angry Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad vociferously demanded the hike.
He was joined by Mulayam Singh Yadav of Samajwadi Party and other members of SP, the Bahujan Samajwadi Party, the RJD, the Janata Dal (United), the Shiv Sena and the Trinamool Congress.
Several Congress members were also seen standing in support of Prasad's demand for a fair deal to the lawmakers. They were gesticulating to BJP members to stand up in support of the issue and not remain silent spectators.
Left members appeared to have kept themselves aloof from the issue, as their parties have been historically opposing any move by Parliament to decide on the salary and allowances of members and instead have favoured an independent commission.
Speaker Meira Kumar tried to pacify them but they were in no mood to listen.
She called BJP member Yogi Adityanath to raise his Zero Hour issue, but he could not be heard in the din.
Soon after the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee went to Prasad and was seen talking to him and Mulayam.
When the House re-assembled, Prasad and other members again created pandemonium.
At this the finance minister said, "This has to be done through a legislation. A bill has to be brought to amend the Salaries And Allowances Of Member Of Parliament Act, 1954... We are trying bring the legislation in this session."
Noting that the government is "fully aware of the sensitivities of the issue", he said the legislation would "truly reflect" the suggestions made by the Parliamentary Committee in this regard.
He said the increased salaries would be effective from the present Lok Sabha.
Prasad was not satisfied with Mukherjee's assurance and asked him not to beat about the bush but give concrete assurance.
"We are ready. Bring the Bill tomorrow, we will pass it in two minutes," he said, leaving Mukherjee smiling.
The issue was also raised in the Rajya Sabha.
Rajniti Prasad (RJD) raised the issue when the House met for the day and instantly found support from members in the opposition benches.
"What has happened to the proposal to increase MPs' salary, we want to know," Rajniti Prasad said citing the deferment of decision by Cabinet yesterday on the issue.
Chairman Hamid Ansari said only questions can be taken up during the Question Hour but members were unrelenting.
Mukherjee said the matter was under consideration.
"The report of the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament has been received by the government. It is under consideration," he said without giving a time frame by when it would be implemented.
"The report will be made effective from beginning of 15th (present) Lok Sabha. Whenever the bill is passed, it will have retrospective effect," he said.
Mukherjee's reply did not satisfy members who insisted on knowing by when it will be implemented and why Cabinet deliberations were being selectively leaked to media.
Ansari did not allow anyone to speak on the issue and took up the listed questions.
In the Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said the members should not worry on account of pay hike but refused to give details, saying it would not be possible for him to do so.
The RJD chief said since the Joint Parliamentary Committee had considered the hike in salary and made its recommendations after considering the present cost of living, its report had to be accepted in full.
He said TV news channels were debating the issue without considering the present day realities and were "humiliating" MPs by asking what was the hike for when they are not working.
Describing the MPs as "true protectors" of democracy and public servants, Prasad said, "We work 24 hours a day and serve as MPs for five years."
He said MPs "have to serve tea and feed a lot of people. Our houses are like ashrams where several hundreds come and stay, and we have to take care of all of them. The number of phone calls we have to make and the number of letters we have to write everyday for official purposes too is huge."
Citing protocol, he said MPs are asking a salary which is only a Re 1 more than what the cabinet secretary gets.
"We are being criticised for seeking hike in salaries by certain persons, who stash away black money in Swiss banks. There are people who stay in five-star hotels and they are the ones who criticise us for seeking a realistic salary that matches our official expenses," he said.
"Yehi logon ke ghar ke aagey 'kuttey se saudhan' likha hota hai, Kuttey ke saath sotey hain aur kuttey ko kiss karten hai. (When you go to their houses, the warning on the gate says 'beware of dogs'. These people sleep with their dog and also kiss their dogs)," he said without identifying anyone.
Prasad's remarks received widespread support and cheer from members cutting across party lines.
Responding to his request, Mukherjee said as per practice, the salary hike for MPs would be effective from the day the current Lok Sabha was constituted.
