There is a general complaint that many of our MLAs are more interested in making money, rather than representing the problems of people in their respective constituencies in the Assembly. Except a few of them, most of the MLAs do not even raise issues in the Assembly. And they get handsome pay from the government, besides huge perks.
Yet, the MLAs are now demanding that the government increase their salaries on the ground that the prices of all commodities have gone up. As if they are regular employees of a government undertaking, the MLAs want to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao seeking pay hike.
Interestingly, the initiative was taken by TRS legislator Bala Raju. He started a signature campaign on Saturday seeking pay hike and several legislators signed the memorandum.
The Chief Minister had already proposed substantial raise in the salaries and perks of the ministers, Council members and legislators. He said during the first session of the Telangana Assembly that ministers, MLAs and MLCs need more salaries to meet their expenditure.
However, implementation of the proposal has been put on hold as the government felt that it would be embarrassing to increase salaries of the MLAs at a time when large number of farmers are committing suicide. But after the recent hike salaries of public representatives of local bodies, the MLAs, too, want to raise their issue. Sources said that the MLAs were demanding Rs 3 lakh salary per month to them.
