Chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Wednesday that he was happy to announce that the government has revised the pay and perks of the legislators.

The MLAs and MLCs will get a basic salary of over Rs 25,000 instead of the previous Rs 8,000 per month. Their daily allowance will be enhanced to Rs 1,000 from the existing Rs 500 while the area allowance will go up to Rs 25,000 from the previous Rs 12,000 per month. The stationery allowance will be increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 2,000 per month. The legislators will also get Rs 15,000 per month for assistants instead of Rs 10,000 earlier.

Besides, the pension amount of former legislators has been enhanced to Rs 15,000 per month from the existing pension of Rs 6,000. The legislators will also get one-time payment of Rs 50,000 for furniture. The limit of travelling coupons has been raised to Rs two lakh from the existing Rs 1.50 lakh and their vehicle loan limit to Rs eight lakh against the present limit of Rs five lakh.

There are altogether 318 legislators in Bihar: 243 MLAs and 75 MLCs. The new salary structure would incur an additional financial burden of approximately Rs 33.97 crore to the state exchequer.

It needs to be recalled that when the debate over the pay-hike of MPs took place in Parliament last August the media strongly criticized them, especially Lalu Yadav, Mulayam Singh and others. But in the case of Bihar the news of increase in MLAs salary came quietly without any media criticism.It needs to be reminded that Bihar has the lowest per capita income and more than seventy percent of its population falls in BPL category yet legislators are among the highest paid public representatives in the country.

Comment

comments...

The article is attepting to justify that the hike is not in good taste . I have a point to make on the issue .

Its true that non-payment of salary ( as many friends have pointed ) is not at all acceptable and government must ensure all due payments without fail so that no government staff are forced to resort to" other " source for their income .

However , we must NOT expect that the administration and the government is run by people of inadequate calibre . Thats absolutely NOT good for the state . As Bihar requires good honest policticians at this juncture who can live their life ( for god sake don't expect the sacrifice made by freedom fighters from today's polictician , for thats not fare ) reasonably without getting influenced by unsrupulous people for money . Apart from strong ethics , they also need a decent salary .

A good student from national standard college are getting a salary close to Rs100,000/- per month . This includes media persons , although after some experience .

In such a circumstances , why the hell anybody should make noise on the subject .

Don't try to divert the focus . Keep the government and the policician for good clean efficient governance . Your article on "Bihar's Power Crisis " WAS EXCELLENT . Lets keep doing the same .

I again repeat let elected representative and their family have a decent lifestyle . Simultaneously let us keep our fight on for enhancing honesty , efficency and professionalism in their public life for the good of the state and the country .

Biharis are very well aware of the fact pointed that Bihar has the lowest per capita income and more than seventy percent of its population falls in BPL category yet legislators are among the highest paid public representatives in the country.

We all must do our bit to improve the same .

A Jha
Singapore

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It is really good to hike the salary of MLAs because till date majority of MLAs are maintaining their lavish way of living with public money by manupulating account and bills.
Hope this increament will encourage them not to eat up public money for personal use. Rs 1 lakh is much enough to maintain the status-quo of an MLA. We are happy to spend 33 crore plus on their life style and facility but let these wise man spend thousands of crore honestly.
Anil
Bangalore

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2.5 lacs teachers waiting for their salaries for last six months. We dont have money to provide clean water to the people of Patna. Let our politicians to celeberate..................

Vikas Singh

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State government employee have not been paid their due salaries from last three months….. It takes minimum 90 days strike to get 2-5% salary/DA hike… State Govt is trying their level best to not to give 6th pay commission implemented from the day it was given by Central Govt due to excessive financial load state government will have to take…… We understand everything because Nitish Ji turned out be savior of state (at least in the eyes of people living outside)…. And Now….

Hike in salary to those who claim to be SAMAJSEVI that too 300% (little higher)……

Nitish Ji, when you cry everyday for special status from center it implies special financial assistance only, which means State Govt does not have sufficient fund to take lot of initiative….. even not enough money to give to teachers of primary school than how come you have raised salaries of people who are bunch of incompetent lot…

THIS IS CRIMINAL….KUDOS TO BIHAR TIMES FOR WRITING THIS OPENLY..

Randheer Jha
New Delhi

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Now days, senior govt officers, professors, doctors and engineers are getting more than 1 lakh per month and other perks. But, nobody raises voice against it. But, MLA salary is hiked, educated people (having elite type mentality) start crying. After retirement these officials get forty to fifty thousands per month as a pension. But, Ex-MLA gets only eight thousands (now, it is raised to fifteen thousands). A MLA has to meet and serve many people (from all section of the society) in his area. Without money, nothing can be done. We know that the MLA local area development funds are already closed in Bihar. So, nothing wrong in hiking the salary.

Shailendra Kumar Singh
Kolkata

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There is nothing wrong in making the salaries of the state representatives more attractive. They have to live up to their increased pay and perquisites, and if not, then the people should hold them accountable.
Dr Binoy Shanker Prasad
Dundas, Ontario

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Pubblic representatives want to do social service by way of politics then they should volunteer themselves. Host of committed qualified people are ready to volunteer. This salary enhancement is a criminal act (highest in the country) surprisingly no political party dare to speak on this issue.

Vikas Singh

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The media both at State and National level have become
mistresses of the State government.

They always try to portray ( or in plain word- portray) that the
present State government is the best in the world- most efficient,
honest, peace-loving and democratic. The biggest culprit is
on this earth is Lalu. And, the problems in the State is because of
the Centre.

Latest Census-2011 record says that Bihar has lowest literacy rate
in the Country at 63.8 per cent. ( I remember that semi literate Rabri
Devi was severely criticized by the opposition and media equivocally
a decade ago for the same feat. It will be interesting to see how media
takes this new. )

I am sure the media will put blame on Rabri's 5 year's tenure. But,
people are increasingly becoming aware of media's tactics. They are
too smart to be duped again and again.

And, at last, if there is little morality and sense of responsibility is left
in politico-dictator Nitish, he should resign.

I appreciate Bihar Times for understanding the perils of the other ( like
the other India ) Bihar and publishing them honestly and fearlessly.

Raj Gayawala
Delhi, India