The parliament has today voted in favour of raising the salaries of the Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, ministers and councilors. 

According to Public Accounts Committee reports endorsing the salary increment for the Chief Justice and Speaker, the total monthly pay for each of these posts will now be MVR 95,125, so as to offer equal pay for both posts. 

In today's parliament sitting, raising the Speaker's pay was approved through votes in favour from 42 of the 54 MPs in attendance. 12 MPs from opposition MDP voted against. 

Raising the Chief Justice's pay was passed through votes in favour from 40 of the 52 MPs in attendance. In this case too, 12 MDP MPs voted against. 

The other change brought about by parliament is adding MVR 17,000 to cabinet minister's pay. This is done through including an allowance for petrol for their cars, allowance for drivers' pay and allowance for drivers' living expenses. 

Salary for presidents of island councils has also been raised to MVR 30,500, while the salary for vice presidents of island councils has been increased to MVR 25,000. Councilors, meanwhile, will now receive a higher pay as well, set at MVR 23,000. 

In the debate in today's parliament sitting on the reports on pay rise compiled by the Public Accounts Committee, opposition MPs stated that this is a shameful decision as these salaries are being raised at a time when several needs of the public remain unmet. 

Ruling PNC MPs retorted that these changes have been brought to address pay discrepancies amongst some senior State positions.