The decision to increase the salary of MPs has been taken at a time when common Indians are facing the pressure of inflation. During most of the last financial year, the retail inflation rate in India remained above the 4% level set by the Reserve Bank of India. A sharp increase was seen in the prices of food items. The government has approved a 24% increase in the salary and pension of Members of Parliament (MPs). This increment will come into effect from April 1, 2023 with retrospective effect. The allowance of MPs has also increased. The government said that this decision to increase the salary and pension of public representatives has been taken keeping in mind the cost of living and inflation rate. According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on Monday, with this increase, the monthly salary of MPs has increased from ₹ 1 lakh per month to ₹ 1.24 lakh, while their daily allowance has increased by 25% from ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 2,500. The pension of former MPs has also been increased by 24% from Rs 25,000 to Rs 31,000 per month. This is the first such amendment since April 2018, aimed at bringing the salary of MPs in line with inflation. However, this increase has raised new questions about the income inequality between MPs and the general public. According to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Plan Implementation, India’s estimated per capita income in 2022-23 was ₹1.72 lakh or about ₹14,333 per month. These figures show that now even a former MP gets a pension twice the average income of a common Indian, while the income of a current MP is about 9 times more than the income of a common Indian.
On what basis did MPs get a 24% increment in their salary? Pension also increased
