This is my humble request: more than 100 former MLAs known to me have lost their personal wealth and are surviving only on a government pension of ₹25,000. Therefore, people’s representatives should not be compared with other authority structures. — By S. Muthuraj Advocate | Former RTI Commissioner

[04/01, 10:13] Muthuraj: Comparing the salaries and pensions of people’s representatives with those of other authorities created by them, or with officials working under such authorities, weakens democracy in the minds of the people.

The Labour Party asked the people of England to vote for them by promising to help free the 52 countries that were under British rule. The people supported this idea and voted for the Labour Party, which came to power in England in 1945. Based on the Indian Independence Act passed by the British Parliament, the Members of Parliament elected in England handed over power to the people’s representatives in India who were elected under the Government of India Act, 1935.

The members of the Indian Constituent Assembly were also elected representatives of the people. They accepted some authority systems that already existed in India and created some new institutions as well.

Even today, lakhs of politicians work and struggle on issues ranging from local problems to global matters. Only a few of them become MPs or MLAs. Yet, about 75 percent of the people continue to trust politicians and repeatedly vote in elections.

If politicians exist, democracy exists. If democracy exists, other authority systems can function.

This is my humble request: more than 100 former MLAs known to me have lost their personal wealth and are surviving only on a government pension of ₹25,000. Therefore, people’s representatives should not be compared with other authority structures.

— By S. Muthuraj Advocate | Former RTI Commissioner
[04/01, 10:14] Sekarreporter: 🙏