Himachal assembly passes salary hike bill in record time, salaries raised by 125%

Shimla, April 8: It barely took 5 minutes to pass all the four bills enhancing the salaries of MLAs and former legislators. At the cots of the public exchequer, the additional burden amounts to Rs 16.52 crore.

Unlike any other assembly debate, there were no disciplinary issues and no walkouts.

With a hike ranging from 60% to 125%, the Himachal legislators are now the highest paid in India. The salary of the CM and his ministers for instance will be close to Rs 2.5 lakh and that of each MLA about Rs 2.1 lakh.

The daily allowances, the LTA and the pension have also witnessed proportionate hike. MLA's daily allowance will be hiked from Rs 1,500 to 1,800; Constituency allowance has been increased from Rs 60,000 to Rs 90,000. Some of the other allowances that have increased include LTA, computer opetator allowance from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000.

Pension-seeking employees will also receive Rs 28,000 and Rs 1,000 extra for each successive year after the first term. The CM will now draw Rs 2.5 lakh and that of each MLA about Rs 2.1 lakh. The speaker will now earn Rs 80,000, Deputy Speaker will earn Rs 75,000.

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