Not only the MLAs got the cake the salary of their PAs too was raised from Rs 8000 to a whopping Rs 15,000
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Nagpur News: “Don’t try to get which is not yours, but don’t dare to lose which only yours.” But regretfully these words do not apply to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly members (MLAs). They are well known to grab every penny notwithstanding that the penny belongs to them or not. The recent example to prove the fact is passing of a Bill, without any detailed debate, by the Maharashtra Assembly that allows an MLA to travel by flight with his entire family. Not a single MLA opposed the Bill that made it easy for MLAs and their families to enjoy the travel by flight without coughing up a single paisa. The MLAs of various parties who were seen fighting against their rivals on any issue cutting across the party lines shamelessly united to grab the opportunity.
The Bill on enactment of MLAs’ salaries and perks rules was passed after corrections in a minute without any tangible discussion. The Bill was introduced on the last day of the Budget session. The Bill also included besides MLAs the Speaker of Assembly, Deputy Speaker of Assembly, Council Chairman, Deputy Chairman of Council, Ministers, Leaders of Opposition in both the Houses for free travel facility with their entire families. Not only the MLAs got the cake the salary of their Personal Assistants (PAs) too was raised from Rs 8000 to a whopping Rs 15,000 by passing of the Bill.
The new Bill will come into effect from April 1. It is estimated that an additional burden of Rs 3.33 crore would be put on state exchequer. The new Bill has provided free travel by flight facilities for 32 times in the state and 8 times for travelling to other parts of the country. If the MLAs and their wives along with minor children travel together then their travel will be marked as double journey instead of single journey. It means they will get fare amount of Second AC train travel in place of First Class journey by train. Happy with the facility, the MLAs announced donation of a day’s salary to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund looking to the grave drought situation in many parts of Maharashtra.
