Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Bill to hike Members of Parliaments salaries despite a walkout by the Left , demanding a provision for an independent mechanism to fix the MPs salaries. The Salary, Allowance and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2010, provides threefold hike in basic salaries of MPs from Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000 while doubling two of their key allowances, namely the daily allowance of members from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 and the constituency and the office expense allowance from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000. The bill also seeks to enhance pension of former members from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 with effect from the constitution of present Lok Sabha on May 18, 2009.
Let us just have a look at the facilities that are currently given to the MPs. Leaving apart the “Kursi Ko Salam” facilities like people calling you Sir, people always being around to pick your stuff and government officials giving prompt response on any issues MPs are given a salary of Rs 16,000 per month, office expenses of Rs 20,000 and a constituency allowance of Rs 20,000. Apart from this they get interest free loan to buy car, they can have their petrol paid and make as many phone calls as possible. They get a rent free home with free furniture, electricity, water, gardeners and plants. There are also allowances to wash curtains and sofa covers. Back of the envelope calculations show that the present cost per MP to the government is Rs. 4 lakh per month and with the pay revision it will be around 5.25 lakhs per month.
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Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has jumped right into a controversy by mentioning “Saffron Terror” in one of his speeches. While addressing a meeting of state IGS and IGPs on Wednesday, Chidambram has cautioned against the cross-border terrorism as well as the Saffron Terrorism. The Home Minister admitted that saffron terror is a new phenomenon and threat that security agencies should be aware of. His point was in the light of recent arrest of people affiliated to Sangh Parivar in several terror blasts including Ajmer Dargah, Malegaon and Mecca Masjid. Soon to jump in to score some political points was RJD spokesman and lawyer Shakeel Ahmed who used the same term and in turn criticized the Congress led government of giving patronage to the saffron brigade. The criticism of P Chidambram and Rashtriya Janta Dal Spokesman came pouring in from all corners with even the congress in no mood to take the side of its Union Minister.
Both Bhartiya Janta Party and Shiv Sena were quick to lash onto the opportunity with executive president of the latter demanding the resignation of the home minister. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who addressed the same audience next day chose to skip the term. The issue rocked the proceedings of Rajya Sabhha on Friday. Slogan like “Hinduon ka apman nahin chalega” thronged the house. The matters were not helped by Lok Janashakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan as he made reference to RSS’ association with terrorism which led to the adjournment of the house for the day.
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August 7 morning saw the biggest ever oil spill in India as MCS Chitra collided with MV Khalijia 10 km off the Mumbai coast with the former tilting precariously and leaking oil into the sea. An estimated 500 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea and about 250 containers, some carrying hazardous chemicals and pesticides got hurled overboard. This accident is having a ripple effect; not only affecting the flora and fauna in and around the coast but also causing losses to local fisherman with a ban being imposed on fishes. Even the export market is taking a toll as an estimated 24,000 ships are stranded due to the oil spill.
Several aquatic species and sea birds have been found dead along the Mumbai coast, as a result of the oil spill off Mumbai. The formation of thick layer of poisonous oil in the seawaters has inflicted a distressing blow to the biological equilibrium by rendering fishes, turtles and other species immobile due to the caused high viscosity. Many sea birds whose diet comprises aquatic species have consumed oil which has adversely affected their digestive tracts. Mangroves along the coast have also been damaged and it is asserted that only few of them will be able to regenerate. “Cleaning up process in on but it would take around 45 days”, said the Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
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