Punjab announces new salary package for VIPs: chief minister's salary fixed at Rs 46, 800

Punjab government in its latest move has raised the salaries of Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Provincial Ministers, parliamentary secretaries and public representatives by 20 percent with effect from July 1, 2008. According to the government sources on Wednesday that Punjab Finance Department has issued a notification in this connection.
Under the revised package, the salary of the Chief Minister has been fixed at Rs 46, 800 with an increase of Rs 7, 800. The salary of the Speaker has been increased from Rs 37, 000 to Rs 44, 000 while the Deputy Speaker will get Rs 42, 000 with a raise of Rs 7, 000. Provincial Ministers' emolument was also enhanced from Rs 35, 000 to Rs 42, 000 and the parliamentary secretaries from Rs 20, 000 to Rs 24, 000. However, the Member of Provincial Assembly would receive only Rs 2, 000 extra totalling the amount from Rs 10, 000 to Rs 12, 000.
Further, the sources said the salaries of public representatives were carried under Punjab Revision of Emoluments of Public Representative Act 2006. The Act allows that the government in proportion to the increase in the salary of civil servants would automatically increase the salaries of these public representatives.
'Since the basic pay of the civil servants has been increased by 20 percent with effect from July 1, 2008, public representatives are entitled to draw the revise salary with effect from the same date,' they added. However, many analysts were critical of salary enhancement termed it a big joke at a time when the country was facing financial crunch and the masses were burdened by accelerating price hike.
'On the contrary, public representatives not dependent on their salaries, should reject the increase and divert the amount to a fund working for people's benefit instead,' they demanded. Further, they believed that the present situation demands injection of additional funds in social sector, education and health.
Therefore, expenses on residents of the president, Prime Minister, senate chairman, governors, chief ministers and others should be curtailed to half, thus saving millions of rupees every month. Similarly, allowance, perks and privileges being offered to MNAs and MPAs should also be curtailed to half, again to save millions of Rupees every month. Many analysts also suggested chopping the number of ministers at both the federal and the provincial levels.
'A large number of ministers (40 at the federal level already under consideration) do not give a good omen to the impoverished populace.' They were also of the view that the Prime Minister's foreign visits should be based only on diplomatic necessities rather than on holiday jaunts while entourage should not exceed five to 10 persons.
In addition, they strongly recommended that auditor-general at the federal and the provincial level should be appointed with the consent of the opposition and for a fixed tenure of service. 'Every quarter should submit to the parliament financial irregularities by any ministry and department. This will ensure financial discipline among the ruling elite,' he added.