Kakkanad, Kerala: With local body elections approaching, one common question is how much elected representatives in Kerala actually earn. Despite month-long campaigns and the responsibilities that follow, their remuneration is far from hefty.

Instead of a salary, members of local bodies receive what is officially termed an honorarium. The structure was last revised in 2016, and the highest honorarium among all tiers is paid to district panchayat presidents.

District panchayat honorarium

President: Rs 15,800

Vice-president: Rs 13,200

Standing Committee Chairperson: Rs 9,400

Member: Rs 8,800

Corporation honorarium

The mayor of a corporation receives the same honorarium as a district panchayat president — Rs 15,800.

Deputy Mayor: Rs 13,200

Standing Committee Chairperson: Rs 9,400

Councillor: Rs 8,200

Municipality honorarium

Chairperson: Rs 14,600

Vice-chairperson: Rs 12,000

Standing Committee Chairperson: Rs 8,800

Councillor: Rs 7,600

Block panchayat honorarium

President: Rs 14,600

Vice-president: Rs 12,000

Standing Committee Chairperson: Rs 8,800

Member: Rs 7,600

Grama panchayat honorarium

President: Rs 13,200

Vice-president: Rs 10,600

Standing Committee Chairperson: Rs 8,200

Member: Rs 7,000

Additional meeting allowance

Apart from the monthly honorarium, members are entitled to allowances for attending meetings. The president, vice-president, and standing committee chairpersons receive Rs 250 per meeting, while other members get Rs 200 each.

The maximum allowance one can receive under this category is Rs 1,250 per month.