* Ex-MLAs/MLCs pension goes up to Rs 50,000
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 30: The Government today doubled the salaries and allowances of legislators (both MLAs and MLCs) from Rs 80,000 per month to Rs 1,60,000 per month and effecting massive hike in the salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers and Ministers of State. Subsequently, it increased pension of former legislators from Rs 28,000 per month to Rs 50,000 per month, which too was close to the 100 per cent hike.
A bill proposing doubling salaries and allowances of the legislators was approved unanimously by the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar today after being introduced by Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu on behalf of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri.
“The bill seeks to increase salary and allowances of the members of State Legislature from present Rs 80,000 per month to Rs 1,60,000 per month,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said in the statement of objects and reasons attached to the bill.
The bill also enhanced the salary of the Chief Minister from Rs 45,000 to Rs 70,000 and Cabinet Ministers from Rs 40,000 to Rs 65,000 per month. It raised the salary of Ministers of State from Rs 35,000 to Rs 60,000 per month.
Presently, the salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister stood at Rs 90,000 per month. With Rs 25,000 increase, they would go up to Rs 1.15 lakh. Similarly, the salaries and allowances of Cabinet Ministers, which were Rs 85,000 per month, would now stand at Rs 1.10 lakh while salaries and allowances of the Ministers of State would go up from Rs 80,000 per month to Rs 1.05 lakh.
The Ministers, in addition, are also entitled to TA/DA and several other free facilities like accommodation, vehicles, petrol etc.
The bill said the demand of members of the State Legislature for enhancement of their salaries and allowances was examined and found genuine keeping in view the price hike of all essential commodities and increase in the cost of living.
“An assurance to increase salary of the members of the State Legislature was held out by the Government on Floor of the House,” it added.
Through another bill, introduced by the Finance Minister on behalf of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, the pension of former MLAs/MLCs will be enhanced from Rs 28,000 per month to Rs 50,000 per month in addition to Rs 5,000 medical allowances to which they were already entitled every month.
This bill was also passed unanimously by the Legislative Assembly.
Both these bills will now go to the Legislative Council for consideration and passing on July 2, the last working day of the Upper House. On being approved by the Council, the hike in salaries and pension of legislators and former legislators would be effected.
Official sources told the Excelsior that to rush through both the bills proposing increase in salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs and pension of former legislators, the Government got both the bills cleared from the Cabinet Ministers through circulation instead of calling the Cabinet meeting.
The bills were introduced and passed in the Assembly the same day. Similarly, they would be introduced and passed in the Council the same day i.e. July 2, which shows “seriousness” on part of legislators in increasing their salaries and emoluments.
The Financial memorandum stated that increase in salaries and allowances of the Ministers and legislators would involve an additional expenditure to the tune of Rs 12 crores per annum approximately.
The bill said allowances of the Ministers are governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Ministers’ (Sumptuary and Constituency Allowance) Rules and for increasing their allowances, necessary amendments would be made in the rules. However, the salaries and allowances of legislators are governed by the Salaries and Allowances of Members’ of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Act, which was being amended through legislation.
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