Chennai: A bill to double the salaries of Tamil Nadu MLAs was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday even as the state reeled under a crippling strike by transport workers for better wages.
The bill takes the new pay packet of Tamil Nadu MLAs to Rs 1.05 lakh per month, a 90.91% hike over their earlier salary of Rs 55,000. It also hikes the 'MLA Constituency Development Scheme' fund allocation to Rs 2.50 crore from Rs 2 crore. Similarly, pension for former MLAs and members of the now-defunct Legislative Council will be increased to Rs 20,000 from the present Rs 12,000.
Bracing for criticism at a when transport workers are protesting for increased wages, Chief Minister E Palaniswami said the state would pay the striking workers dues of Rs 750 crore. The move comes after the Madras HC questioned the government over the non-payment of dues.
This, however, is unlikely to end the deadlock as transport unions have demanded a 2.57-time hike and stepped up their protest, staging a dharna with family members, including children. The government says it is ready for a 2.44-times hike.
The 17 trade unions on strike include those affiliated to the opposition DMK and the Left. The issue triggered uproarious scenes in the Assembly this week with Palaniswami seeking the cooperation of Leader of Opposition MK Stalin (DMK) and others in bringing the strike to an end.
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