[Letter to R C Cooper]

Summary

In this letter dated 23 May 1969, M. R. Masani asks Dr. R. C. Cooper to place the question of Members of Parliament’s emoluments and perquisites on the agenda of the forthcoming Central Parliamentary Board meeting in Madras. Masani notes that the matter is already before Parliament through a Select Committee report and a Private Members’ Bill, and recalls that the Swatantra Party’s Parliamentary Group had agreed to move an amendment when the Government’s proposal returned in the next session.

Masani argues that MPs should not determine their own remuneration and proposes that an eminent, unbiased person be invited to give an independent opinion, with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Vice-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha selecting that person. He warns that support for increased allowances could damage the party’s reputation, especially because the Socialist and Communist parties may oppose the expenditure on behalf of taxpayers and poorer sections. He asks Cooper to circulate the relevant Parliamentary Group minutes and secure firm direction from the Central Parliamentary Board against supporting the Government’s proposal until the amendment is considered and voted on by the House.

Key points

• Masani requests that MPs’ emoluments and perquisites be placed on the Central Parliamentary Board’s agenda.
• The issue was already under parliamentary consideration through a Select Committee report and a Private Members’ Bill.
• He supports amending the Government’s proposal rather than endorsing increased allowances and perquisites.
• He argues that MPs should not be judges in their own cause when determining their remuneration.
• He proposes independent advice from an eminent and unbiased person selected by the presiding officers of the two Houses.
• He links the issue to public criticism, taxpayer interests, poorer sections of the community, and the Swatantra Party’s reputation.
• He asks for the relevant Parliamentary Group minutes and for a firm party directive against supporting the proposal before a House vote.