Dropouts, illiterate Gujarat MLAs earn more than legislators who're graduates!
Gujarat MLAs who are either illiterate or have a school-level education are earning more than legislators who are graduates or possess higher degrees, says an NGO's report published yesterday. The report, prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an NGO which works for electoral reforms, also suggested the average annual income of 161 of the total 182 MLAs of Gujarat is Rs. 18.80L.
ADR was accompanied by its affiliate "Gujarat Election Watch" in compiling the report, which was prepared after scanning the poll affidavits filed by all the 182 legislators ahead of the last assembly polls. Of the total, annual income details of 21, including independent MLA Jignesh Mevani, weren't available as these lawmakers haven't mentioned anything in their respective poll affidavits, said the ADR release.
When it comes to individuals, BJP MLA from Vadhwan, Dhanjibhai Patel (pictured), leads the pack earning Rs. 3.90 crore per year, while Seemaben Mohile, BJP MLA from Vadodara, remains at the bottom with an annual income of Rs. 69,340. In their affidavits, 33 MLAs have mentioned "business" as their profession, while 56 said they're "farmers". Others have mentioned professions like real-estate and social work.
While the average annual income of 63 "graduate" MLAs came to Rs. 14.37 lakh, the same for 85 MLAs, whose "educational qualification" ranges between 5th and 12th standard, stood at Rs. 19.83 lakh. Interestingly, the average annual income of four "illiterate" MLAs came to Rs. 74.17 lakh, much higher than the earnings of those who are literates. Such salaries, much wow!
