Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala Government is mulling a hike in the salaries and allowances of state legislators and ministers, with a bill expected to be introduced in the State Assembly before the ongoing session concludes on Thursday, October 29.
The State Cabinet is likely to give its nod to the proposals at its meeting on Wednesday, October 28. The proposed revision will allow the basic allowances of MLAs to rise from the current Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Ministers’ monthly salaries, including dearness allowance (DA), could climb up to Rs 1.3 lakh.
In Kerala, the current basic allowance package for a legislator stands at Rs 70,000 in total, which includes a minimum travel allowance of Rs 20,000 and a constituency allowance.
Apart from this, MLAs in Kerala are eligible to receive Rs 10 for every kilometre travelled, railway coupons worth Rs 4 lakh annually, and daily allowances of Rs 1,000 for travel within Kerala and Rs 1,200 for travel outside the state.
They can also avail interest-free loans for purchasing vehicles and house, a book allowance of Rs 15,000 and reimbursement of medical expenses.
In addition to their allowances, ministers in Kerala receive an additional basic salary of Rs 2,000. They are also entitled to avail dearness allowance.
Former MLAs receive a monthly pension ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000, depending on the length of their tenure as legislators.
The proposed revision would raise the overall financial benefits available to MLAs and ministers of Kerala. However, the final amounts hinge on the Cabinet’s decision and the legislative process.
