Some of the (must read) responses on 'Salary hike for MPs'

The Cartoon was spot on. When I first read about the pay hike, I thought to myself what our MPs draw as salaries and perks is peanuts for them compared with the money they spend on the elections, not to mention corruption.

As a reader of The Hindu for 30 years, I compliment the news paper on condensing a page of news in a simple cartoon. Our MPs have been unanimous in demanding an exorbitant hike in their pay and perks. What is painful is that they have made a mockery of our poor country by demanding more :)

A whopping three-fold increase in the salaries of MPs when people are groaning under galloping inflation! Even more distressing is that they want more. Now that the MPs have got their raise, will the govt. inform parliament how many of them have pan cards, how many of them filled IT returns in the last three years and how many of them pay tax on their income?

It is shameful that people's representatives have given themselves the right to fix their emoluments, as per their fanciful assessments. Even if their monthly emoluments could be discussed at some length, how is the increase in their air travel justified? why can't they set an example by travelling economy class? could these savings not be used for better allocations in the social sector, for which the govt. always has an alibi of not having enough resources? Do MPs not have the responsibility of ensuring social equality to the 78% of people who earn less than Rs. 20 a day?

I refer to a British media report "The man who lives without money." It is about Mark Boyle, who gave up using money since 2008 and loves his new life style. I think our govt. should invite him to India and ask him to address our MPs, who are not satisfied with a 300% salary raise.

Our MPs have every legitimate right to demand a pay hike. But they should be made more accountable for their work. They should show progress to people of their constituencies at regular intervals, rather than visit their constituencies during elections. They should attend Parliament regularly and play a constructive role in debates rather than disrupt the House frequently.

This refers to the report that our MPs held up the proceedings in the Lok Sabha because they were dissatisfied with the 300% hike in their salaries, from Rs. 16,000-Rs. 50, 000 a month. An average Indian earns less than Rs. 50 a day. That our MPs are dissatisfied with their hike is a matter of shame. Among the elected representatives, the MPs undoubtedly get the maximum benefits. Despite this, a number of them do not show any interest in attending Parliament. Even if they do, a substantial time is wasted on unproductive work.