MP salaries: Govt bends,pay-off may be hike in perks

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with leaders of the BJP,RJD and SP on Saturday and assured them that their concerns would be addressed. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and JDU president Sharad Yadav were present at the meeting.

Another meeting is expected to be held tomorrow or on Monday should they agree to the government proposal to increase allowances and perks instead of hiking the basic salary. We told them that it would not be appropriate to increase basic salaries, a senior leader said.

Sharad Yadav also said the matter had been resolved keeping the sentiments of MPs in mind. Consequently,the Parliament session on Saturday was a smooth affair.

It was also decided at the meeting with Opposition leaders that another debate should be held on the Medical Council of India Bill,which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Friday without a discussion.