Returning the file, the Union Home Ministry has raised several questions over the proposal and asked why the salary of the MLAs has been sought to be hiked as it was increased only in the year 2007, top officials said.

"Usually, the salary of MLAs are hiked after five years. Parliament also follows this principle," they said.

The hike was proposed in August by Delhi's Congress government after discussion with opposition BJP. The city government had proposed a hike in the range of 150 to 200 per cent for the legislators.

As per the proposal, an MLA, who currently gets nearly Rs 32,000 monthly, including all incentives, will get around Rs 70,000.

The salary of ministers, who now get around Rs 36,000 monthly, had been sought to be increased to around Rs 90,000.

Apart from the monthly emolument of Rs 32,000, the MLAs also get a monthly amount of Rs 10,000 for employing computer operators.

The government had also proposed to pay the MLAs a monthly emolument of Rs 10,000 as office expenses while travel allowance given to grade one officers has also been recommended for the legislators.

Officials said the government also sought to give 5,000 litres of water and 1,000 unit of power per month free of cost to each MLA.