MPs want more salary; force adjournments in LS

Government today faced protests in the Lok Sabha, hours after it decided to raise MPs' salary to Rs 50,000 with several non-BJP opposition members storming the well demanding that it be raised to Rs 80,001.

"Stop the insult of MPs" and "implement report of the parliamentary committee" were slogans chanted by SP, BSP, JD(U), RJD, Shiv Sena and Akali Dal members, forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House twice.

First the House was adjourned till noon when members were on their feet during Question Hour claiming that government had "insulted Parliament" by rejecting the recommendation of its own Committee to raise the basic salary to Rs 80,001 per month, a rupee higher than the highest paid government officer.

This happened after news trickled in that the Union Cabinet, at a meeting earlier in the day, had approved a proposal to raise the basic salary of MPs to Rs 50,000 from present level of Rs 16,000.

When the House reassembled at noon, leaders of SP and RJD, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad, led their members to the well raising slogans. Members of Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and JD(U) also joined them in the well.

Prasad and his party colleague Raghuvansh Prasad Singh were heard saying "the government's decision is an insult to Parliament. The recommendations of the parliamentary committee should be implemented."

In the din, the House approved amendments made by the Rajya Sabha to the Trade Marks (Amendment) bill by a voice vote. This was protested by the RJD leaders.

As the protests continued, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 1400 hours.