After 11 years, Delhi MLAs can now look forward to an increase in salary. The Central government has approved the proposed salary increment for the MLAs of Delhi. They will now earn Rs 90,000 instead of Rs 54,000.
The Bill to this effect will be tabled in the Delhi Assembly.
Earlier, the MLAs used to get a basic salary of Rs 12,000 per month and total salary of Rs 54,000, exclusive of reimbursements.
Although a 66 per cent increment has been approved, the salary of Delhi MLAs remains a lot lower than many other states.
Attempts have been made to implement a hike since a long time now, but approval was never received.
The Centre has not only given its nod to an increment in the salary component from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000, but also revised other allowances, such as telephone, conveyance, secretarial and constituency.
The other reimbursements are paid in the form of electricity and water bills, medical treatment, allowance for attending assembly sessions daily (not more than 40 days a year) and House committee meetings, pension, family pension, yearly travel and monthly reimbursement for data-entry operators.
About five years ago, a change in the compensation structure of Delhi MLAs was mooted, when it was proposed that the basic salary of MLAs be raised to Rs 54,000 and the total salary inclusive of allowances be hiked to Rs 2.1 lakh. However, instead of a basic salary of Rs 54,000, the Centre has now approved a basic salary of Rs 30,000.
