Sunday, December 4, 2016

Being Parliamentarian does not mean a Job Holder


             Legislative Parliament has increased the salary of parliamentarians by skipping the other genuine national issues. Earlier, it is wonderful that this bill for salary increment could easily pass though there would be so many disputes to pass even a small issue. The salary of the parliamentarians have been increased by 25 % whereas meeting allowance and residence cost have been increased by 5 times and 3 times respectively. Transportation cost has been increased to 1000 from 150. Now, a parliamentarian will receive more than 80 thousands per month apart from meeting allowance and transportation.

           There are so many issues in pending which the parliamentarians should accomplish without making any delay. The decision process of the impeachment motion against the CIAA chief has been extended unexpectedly.  The election law has not been formulated yet. The processes of reconstruction, after the 'Gorkha quake', is surprisingly slow. The parliamentarians have been badly criticized for not raising the day to day public issues.
  
The increment of the salary of the parliamentarians according to the time is understandable given that they, like everyone else, need a good salary to live in Kathmandu. But the understandability has a limit- it should be justified what types of life style a parliamentarian should live and how much money is needed for such a life style in the capital. The next thing is, the job of a 'Parliamentarian' is not a government job. Being a parliamentarian means to serve the society. However, our parliamentarians have ridiculed themselves by assuming themselves to be government job holders. While the country is suffering from different types of problems, different issues are pending in the parliament and the victims of quake and blockade have not been able to heal their wound, the lawmakers have increased their salary and facilities. This is utterly against the interest of people. It is more so when all political parties remain silent on this misuse of public property.

Add to this, the increment of meeting allowance by five times is more disgusting. Earlier, meeting allowance was Rs. 250 but after this increment a parliamentarian will receive Rs. 1000 for a meeting. As we understand, the basic work of a lawmaker is to attend the meetings of the parliament and participate in the decision process. For that they get salary, transportation and other facilities form the government's fund. My point is it is not a right idea to pay extra for the people to do the things they have to do.
In conclusion, there are so many issues to be accomplished and the parliamentarians are carrying a key of the country. The works of reconstruction remain the same. The country has not been able to walk on the highway of economic prosperity. After all, condition of the country is highly pathetic and in such a grim situation the parliamentarians have increased their facilities. This is downplaying of people’s aspirations. The parliamentarians should prove the reason behind the increment. Otherwise these increased facilities will hurt them back.  On top of everything, they should understand that they are not doing government jobs.


Bishownath Acharya
Kathmandu

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