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A Parliamentary panel has recommended as much as doubling the salary of members of India's Parliament, sources said Thursday.
While the exact hike recommended was not disclosed, a panel member said the recommendation is for between 75% and 100% raise in the MPs' remuneration.
"A hike has been long overdue. The salary at present is Rs.50,000, which is not a lot in present times," said a Member of Parliament, who declined to be named.
Parliamentarians receive a daily allowance of Rs.2,000 during sessions, travel allowances and free accommodation.
Other benefits include 50,000 free calls from an allotted landline phone, 50,000 units of free electricity and 4,000 kilo-litres of free water.
Including all perks, the salary of an Indian MP is estimated to be about Rs 1.4 lakh per month.
Sources said the panel, chaired by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yogi Adityanath, also recommended an increase in pension and in allowances during parliament sessions.
