3 days ago
UP Assembly: Bills on Banke Bihari Temple Trust, hike in legislators' salaries passed
The Bill on the Banke Bihari Temple Trust Bill was passed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday amid protests by the Opposition parties.
The Samajwadi Party members staged a walkout after Speaker Satish Mahana rejected their demand for hearing them out or giving a prior notice on the temple trust Bill.
The House, however, unanimously passed the Uttar Pradesh State Legislative Member and Minister Comfort Law (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to increase the legislators' salaries, allowances and pensions, after nearly nine years.
Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey said while the temple trust Bill would get cleared due to the majority of the ruling party, the Opposition members should at least be heard on the matter. But the proceedings of the House went on despite repeated requests of the Opposition members.
Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna informed that following requests of the members, a committee was formed under him and had the Leader of Opposition as a member among others.
Based on the recommendations of the committee, the monthly salary of ministers has been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, while that of MLAs and MLCs has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000. Their monthly pension has been increased to Rs 30,000 from Rs 25,000. The constituency allowance was hiked from Rs 50000 to Rs 75000, and railway coupon from Rs 4.25 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The daily allowance of Rs 2000 given during the session and committee meetings has been increased to Rs 2500, daily allowance for public service has been increased to Rs 2000 from Rs 1500. Telephone allowance has been increased to Rs 9000 from Rs 6000. Apart from this, pension has also been increased and different rates have been fixed for it.
The state government will now foot an annual expenditure burden of about Rs 105 crore.
Earlier, the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav had increased the salary and allowances of MLAs and ministers in 2016.
Earlier, Khanna informed that a committee was formed in the last session, after which it was concluded that in this era of inflation, the salary and allowances should be increased.
— PTI inputs
