The Kerala cabinet has approved a proposal to raise the monthly salary of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Rs 70,000 to Rs 98,000. This is the first revision in eight years and represents a 40 per cent increase. The bill will be tabled in the assembly for final approval.
The decision comes at a time when the state is facing financial challenges. Legislators from both ruling and opposition parties had argued that rising expenses — including maintaining offices, hiring staff, and covering transportation costs — made the existing allowance inadequate. The hike is expected to ease these pressures by adding Rs 20,000– Rs 25,000 to monthly allowances.
Kerala’s legislators have long been among the lowest paid in the country. In comparison, Odisha pays its MLAs Rs 3.45 lakh per month, Telangana Rs 2.75 lakh, and Maharashtra Rs 2.52 lakh. Tamil Nadu recently raised its MLA salary from Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh. Former Speaker A N Shamseer had earlier suggested that Kerala’s salaries should be raised to at least Rs 1 lakh, though consensus was not reached at the time.
The current proposal reflects growing recognition that Kerala’s pay levels lag behind other states. However, the final decision rests with the assembly, where the bill will be debated and confirmed.
While legislators argue that higher pay is necessary to meet professional obligations, critics point to the state’s financial crisis. The revision underscores how compensation decisions are shaped not only by cost but also by comparisons, expectations, and the need to sustain effective leadership roles.