Rs 70,000 to Rs 98,000: Kerala MLAs’ salary hike bill likely to be presented in Assembly today
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet has decided to increase the monthly salary of legislators from Rs 70,000 to Rs 98,000 and that of ministers from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.33 lakh. The proposed revision represents an increase of approximately 33%.
According to the report, the draft bill has been sent to the Governor for approval. If permission is granted, the government is expected to introduce the bill in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday.
The proposed changes also include higher allowances for legislators, their staff and former MLAs.
Higher fuel and staff allowances
The annual fuel coupon allowance for sitting MLAs is proposed to increase from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. For former MLAs, the annual fuel coupon allowance would rise from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.
The monthly allowance for MLA staff is also set to increase from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000. Travel and daily allowances are expected to be revised as well.
Former MLAs' pensions to increase
The Cabinet's decision also includes a proposed increase in pensions for former MLAs. The report does not specify the revised pension amounts or the proposed changes to travel and daily allowances.
The salary and allowance revisions will require the relevant legislative process to be completed before the changes can take effect.
The proposed revision covers more than the basic monthly salaries of Kerala's legislators and ministers. It also includes fuel benefits, staff allowances, travel and daily allowances, and pensions for former MLAs.
The increase would raise the monthly salary of an MLA by Rs 28,000 and that of a minister by Rs 33,000. The final financial impact will depend on the number of eligible legislators and ministers, the revised allowance structure and the pension changes approved.
The Cabinet's decision is not, by itself, confirmation that the revised rates have come into force. The draft bill must proceed through the required approval and legislative process.