New Delhi: The Mizoram assembly has passed a Bill which would hike the monthly salary and allowances of an MLA by a whopping 130.77%.
With the passage of the Mizoram Salaries, Allowances and Pension of Members of Legislative Assembly (amendment) Bill on November 21, the monthly salary and allowances of an MLA will go up from Rs 65,000 to Rs 1,50,000.
While the chief minister will draw a monthly salary of Rs 1,80,000, the assembly speaker will take home a salary and perks worth Rs 1,73,000 per month. Those with cabinet minister’s rank and the leader of the opposition will receive salaries and perks of Rs 1, 68,000.
Besides raising salaries of those holding posts such as the chief and deputy chief whips of a party, the new Bill also says that the deputy speaker will draw a monthly sum of Rs 1,61,000.
The Bill also included a hike in MLAs’ pensions.
The Mizo National Front government went ahead with the salary hike in spite of protests by the opposition. Leader of the opposition and Zoram Nationalist Party leader Lalduhauma had opposed the passage of the Bill, stating that it would be “indecent” at a time when the state was undergoing a phase of financial crisis. The state has been reeling under a financial crisis since the time of the previous Congress government.
However, on November 21, introducing the Bill at the house, state transport minister T.J. Lalnuntluanga reportedly said that the salaries and allowances had to be increased as no change had been made for the last eight years and there had been an “exorbitant rise” in the cost of living.
The amendment will come into effect once the changes are reflected in the official gazette.