For efficiency,pay us more: Councillors

“Councillors do more work than MLAs and hence they should get more salary compared to MLAs. Moreover,councillors are more approachable and easily accessible to the public. Their salary needs to be increased,” said Subhash Arya,leader of the MCD House.

He also noted that in Mumbai,councillors are eligible for a monthly sum. “If Mumbai can allow it,why can’t Delhi? Our MLAs even get constituency allowance,money for fuel etc,but the councillors are not given anything,” Arya added.

Leader of Opposition in the MCD,Jai Kishan Sharma,has also written to the L-G asking him to increase their monthly allowance to Rs 50,000,so that the councillors can meet their ‘petty expenses’.

“I will be meeting him soon and request him to look into the matter. The money will enable them to meet their daily expenses and help them in discharging their duties and responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner,” Sharma said.

At present,the councillors get Rs 300 for every meeting they attend,and their phone bills are also paid by the MCD.

There is no provision under the Delhi Municipal Act (DMC) under which the councillors can receive such an enhanced salary per month.

“The increased amount will motivate us to work better and will be for the betterment of the people. We have been voicing this concern for quite some time but no one has paid any attention,” Arya added.