There seems to be an extra festive mood in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council and it has nothing much to do with Deepavali. The reason? Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has reportedly approved the increase in the councillors' honorarium by almost 400 per cent, according to sources.
The State Government had, earlier this week, issued a circular, MNU 94/MLR 2010 (Allowances), and increased the honorarium by at least 100 per cent for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairpersons of the Standing Committees and councillors.
It is said the current honorarium of Rs. 1,500 a month has been hiked to Rs. 7,500. In the Government Order (GO) issued on November 3, which is yet to reach the BBMP, the Government has stated that the honorarium for the Mayor has been increased to Rs 10,000 a month from the current Rs. 5,000. Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor will get Rs. 7,000, an increase from Rs. 3,500.
Sources said that the BBMP will have to bear the costs under the Budget 2010-11 presented earlier in August. “There has been an anticipated provision made under the council head of the Budget 2010-11. If there is any additional burden, that will then have to be added under additional costs,” sources said.
The GO states that the Standing Committee sitting fees will be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 200, while the council sitting fees will increase to Rs. 400 from Rs. 200. It also states that the councillors will be given an increase in their conveyance charges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000.
