Kejriwal has legalised loot by legislation: Amarinder

Image
Press Trust of India Chandigarh
Last Updated : Dec 04 2015 | 6:57 PM IST
Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh today termed it as "loot by legislation" and said he has turned the "self-proclaimed common man's government into a plutocracy".
He also said Kejriwal's greed for money can only be rivalled by his Punjab counterpart, Parkash Singh Badal.
"Kejriwal and his party's greed for money stands exposed with such a shameless hike in the MLAs' salaries, which is absolutely unfair, unjustified and outright loot of the public exchequer," he said.
"Today if anybody can rival the greed of Parkash Singh Badal for money, Kejriwal best fits the frame," he said, adding, "The only difference is that Badal does it illegally and Kejriwal has tried to legalise it."
"400 per cent hike in the salaries of the MLAs is shameless and unprecedented in the history of the country and maybe even the world, and it only betrays the plutocratic mindset of Kejriwal," Amarinder said in a statement here.
The Punjab Congress president pointed out, Kejriwal had raised the MLAs' salary by over 400 per cent which has never been heard in the history, not even in rich and affluent countries.
"No matter how hoarse he may cry himself about integrity and probity in public life, he (Kejriwal) has actually legalised the loot of public exchequer", he remarked, while adding, on one hand Kejriwal claims to curb corruption and on the other hand "he has legalised the loot by legislators through legislation".
Giving details, Amarinder said, now an MLA in Delhi will get Rs 2.10 lakh salary a month, besides other perks like free housing and travel facility outside the constituency, while a minster will get about Rs 3 lakhs a month and Kejriwal himself will get about Rs 3.5 lakh a month.
"When common man, Kejriwal claims to represent, cannot make both ends meet, Delhi legislators will be living and indulging in the luxury at their (common man's) cost," he observed.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 04 2015 | 6:57 PM IST

Next Story