Getting unanimity among different political party leaders on any issue in India is a distant reality.  However, the ideological/political differences suddenly vanished and our ‘netas’ from different political parties find unanimity in passing the bill for 300% hike in their salaries and allowances. 

A cursory picture of pay and allowances currently being drawn by our beloved representatives, the increase in their pay and allowances along with the percentile of increase as per the bill passed by the Parliament is projected hereunder.

Apart from the above pay hike and allowances they are entitled to a certain number of free air journeys, AC first class train journeys, rent free flat or hostel through out their term of the house. In addition to which the spouses of our honourable MPs are entitled to free train travel from their place of residence to Delhi. Spouses also get upto eight free plane tickets from their place of residence to Delhi. A one term MP is also entitled to draw a pension of  Rs. 20,000/- per month till his death. The total cost to the exchequer is expected to be around Rs 142 crore.

Here we need to know certain facts about our ‘netas’. According to  a survey conducted by National Election Watch (NEW - an NGO working for better governance) reveal that as many as 315 out of the 544 MPs of the Lok Sabha are crorepatis, and 43 out of the 54 newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs are also millionaires. More interestingly, the average assets declared of these 43 MPs is Rs25.24 crore. Out of the 183 Rajya Sabha MPs whose data is available, 98 are millionaires. And all the data are based only on disclosed assets, which are not necessarily the same as an MP’s total assets. The majority of the MPs also run their own businesses, companies, colleges, and other institutions, raking in millions every year, or have farm land where they pay no taxes on income.

Yet, these MPs are entitled for interest free bank loan to purchase a vehicle and the bracket has now been further raised to Rs. 4 lakhs.  The poor farmers of the land are not able to get a loan of Rs. one lakh though they are ready to pay interest. 

In a democracy, it is said that the ultimate power lies in the hands of the people.  But, generally they can exercise this power only once in five years. Thereafter, they have to be ready to face the consequences of their mandate for the next five years and they have no saying in any policy making that affects them. 

The representatives of the people are enjoying at the cost of their masters. A recent Indian survey had suggested that there is a massive credibility gap between the public and politicians. It showed that the people consider these ‘netas’ to be among the most corrupt of any group in the country. Yet, they have no other option except to elect one among the junk. 

As long as there are people who are emotionally blind on caste, region and religious matters, as long as there are people selling themselves for a glass of liquor, money etc., and caste their vote, these ‘netas’ continue to behave like this. 

People shall come out of these constricted view and elect a their representative who can upheld the people’s interests. People shall not keep mum, voice their resentment and fight for the right to “call back” those elected, if they find their representative is not working for the interest of the people. 

I am eagerly awaiting for a society where the people can judiciously weigh their representatives and give awakened mandate and where the representatives of the people really work for the people and for a better society.  Considering the present perceptions, I doubt that I can see such an awakened society in my life time on this land, yet I am optimistic about.