The Hindu : Higher perks for MLAs, Ministers proposed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Higher perks for MLAs, Ministers proposed

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM July 16. The Government has published the draft of two Bills proposing increases in the allowances and pensions for the members of the State legislature.

The proposal is to increase the constituency allowance for the Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Whip, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker by Rs. 2,500 and conveyance allowance to Rs. 5,000 (from Rs. 1,850) a month.

For the other members of the Assembly, the constituency allowance is proposed to be increased to Rs. 5,000 from Rs. 2,500 and the minimum travelling allowance to Rs. 7,500 from Rs. 4,500 a month.

Their monthly telephone allowance is proposed to be enhanced to Rs. 4,000 from Rs. 3,000.

There is also a clause seeking to increase the travelling allowance per km to Rs. 6 from Rs. 4, daily allowance to Rs. 500 from Rs. 300 and incidental expenses to Ps. 50 from Ps. 25 per km for journeys by train in and outside the State. For the Ministers, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Whip, the incidental expense for journeys undertaken in Government vehicles is proposed to be increased at the rate of Ps. 50 per km.

The clause also seeks to increase the daily allowance of MLAs to Rs. 400 from Rs. 200 and the travelling allowance to Rs. 4 from Rs. 2.50 per km for journeys inside and outside the State.

The additional expenditure expected due to the increases in telephone, constituency and conveyance allowances is Rs. 43.91 lakhs. That due to the hike in the allowances for journeys and daily allowance could not be estimated with any reasonable degree of accuracy, according to the financial memorandum in the Bill.

The rates of pension per month for those who have been members of the legislature is proposed to be increased as follows:

From Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 for any period below two years, from Rs. 2,400 to 3,000 for two years in the aggregate, from Rs. 2,800 to Rs. 3,500 for three years in the aggregate, from Rs. 3,200 to Rs. 4,000 for four years in the aggregate and from Rs. 3,600 to Rs. 4,500 for five years in the aggregate.

The Bill for revising pensions also envisages an increase in the additional pension for a period exceeding five years from Rs. 400 to 500 per month for every year in excess of five years. The limit of maximum pension to which a member is eligible is also proposed to be enhanced from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 12,500 per month.

The approximate additional expenses to be incurred from the consolidated fund of the State for the proposed revision in pensions will come to Rs. 40 lakhs a year.

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