PM Modi should get a ‘salary hike’: @ArvindKejriwal

NEW DELHI: Seeking to deflect criticism over the proposed hike in the salaries of Delhi MLAs, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said Pime Minister Narendra Modi should get a “salary hike” as well.

In a strident defence of the decision of his government, Kejriwal said even after the hike is effected, MLAs won’t earn even “120th fraction” of what editors of media organisations and top TV anchors earn.

“How is Rs 1 lakh per month unreasonable? If the Prime Minister’s salary is less than this, even his salary should be raised. We all demand that his salary should be hiked,” he said while speaking in Delhi assembly over Jan Lokpal.

However, in a tongue-in-cheek remark, Kejriwal envisaged an embarassing situation for Modi when he encounters US President Barack Obama. “Kal ko Obama miley toh kya bolenege…(if he meets Obama tomorrow, what will he say. It (PM’s salary) should be at least 8-10 lakh.”

Kejriwal said it was important to give legislators proper salaries and other facilities but “if they still indulge in corruption don’t spare them.”