Salary, pension of MLAs being raised

Bhopal, July 31 (UNI) Salary, constituency allowance, pension, family pension and medical allowance of legislators and former legislators of Madhya Pradesh are being raised.

The proposed hike will entail additional expenditure of Rs 6.63 crore annually to the state exchequer, official sources said, adding the increase was being made due to corresponding increase in inflation.

The salary of a legislator is proposed to be raised from Rs 4,000 to Rs 9,000, constituency allowance from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 and pension from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.

Pension would increase at the rate of Rs 200 per month instead of Rs 100 earlier for every additional year completed as legislator beyond five year tenure.

Family pension for spouse or dependents of deceased legislators was also being raised from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000, while former legislators will also be given increased medical allowance of Rs 3,000 per month as against Rs 1000 earlier.

The legislators along with spouse will also be permitted to travel by air to attend Assembly session or committee meetings.

A bill to amend the M P Legislative Assembly Member Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Act, 1972 was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra in the Assembly today. The business advisory committee has fixed 30 minute debate on the bill, which is likely to be passed tomorrow, the last date of the current monsoon session.

UNI