new delhi a nervous government heading towards electoral battle chose not to risk a backlash by dropping a proposal to amend the salaries and allowances of ministers act 1952 that would allow ministers to travel by air with other companions than just immediate family the introduction of the proposed amendments were spiked on the floor of the lower house after upa chairperson sonia gandhi expressed disapproval of the movewhen questioned on the issue home minister p chidambaram said we decided not to introduce the bill there would have been no time to pass the amendments anywaythe bill that got the nod from the union cabinet in december 2008 has broadened the scope of ministers travelling companions from wife and children to companions or relatives so far only immediate family including wife and legitimate offspring were allowed to fly with the ministerthat the ruling coalition was keen on the amendment was confirmed by an opposition leader who had been approached by government representatives speaking on condition of anonymity the opposition leader said the proposal to widen the definition of travelling companion was part of a larger move to increase perks for members of the political class ministers includedthe source said the government had sounded them off on a proposal to equate union ministers with the post of cabinet secretary the reasoning behind aligning the salary and allowances of ministers with that of the cabinet secretary was that changes could be carried out in consonance with the recommendations of the pay commission obviating the need for a separate legislationthe sudden diminution of enthusiasm may have to do with the economic condition with the political class wary of legislating a hike for themselves when joblessness was spreading even in normal times pay hikes for politicians are usually met with adverse public opinion even when backed by acrosstheaisle solidaritysources in the government however defended the move saying that a relaxed definition of travelling companion would not cause any additional financial burden on the state exchequer as the number of trips allowed continues to be 48 significantly members of parliament are allowed to take anyone as a companion as long as the number of trips taken by air are 26 according to the new proposal ministers can use 34 trips for people other than family