Information Minister Neil Parsanlal, in a statement to the House, said, "The SRC has proposed, and Cabinet has accepted, that there will be no salary increases for holders of offices within the purview of the Salaries Review Commission, inclusive of members of this honourable House, at this time. The SRC has recommended instead that consideration be given to a review of these remuneration arrangements before the usual three-year interval, should there be a reversal of the current downward trend in the economic environment."

The halt on salary hikes—possibly for three years— comes as a result of the economic environment, according to the SRC. However, some “nominal” increases for transportation, housing, subsistence, etc, have been recommended by the SRC for office holders. The recommendations are contained in the SRC’s 89th report which was laid in the House of Representatives yesterday.