GUWAHATI, Jan 25 - With a view to ensuring impartiality in increasing salaries of legislators, the Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) will henceforth form Pay Commissions to give recommendations for change in salary structure of MLAs of the State.
Addressing the media here today, Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami said that constitution of Pay Commissions at intervals will make the process of review of the salary structures of legislators more impartial rather than having the task fulfilled by decision of the legislature, as has been the norm so far.
The first such Pay Commission is expected to be formed soon.
The commission will have three members, including one person having knowledge and expertise of ALA, one senior retired official from the Finance department and one retired person who has served in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary or above.
The commission will give its report to the Speaker, who will forward it to the government for approval.
Goswami said that legislators nowadays are doing �full-time� jobs as elected representatives and so they must at least earn enough to be able to live a decent life. He, however, added that emphasis would be on increasing their salaries, instead of their allowances, so that the legislators �pay tax� of an increased quantum as well.
The Speaker added that in his personal opinion former legislators should only avail of their pensions after reaching the age of 60 years.
Goswami said that work will also be taken up soon to prepare a working calendar for the ALA in line with the one followed by the Parliament. He said this will in future help to avoid confusions regarding timing and duration of the various sessions to be held round the year.
Meanwhile, the Budget Session of ALA will be a two-month-long affair this time. The Session will commence on February 6 and conclude on April 6.
There will be 25 working days during the Session.
The Governor�s address will be on the first day of the Session, while the State Budget will be tabled on March 12.
Among other new initiatives, the ALA will also start conferring a �Best Legislator Award� based on performance of MLAs. The first such award will be conferred on April 7 on the occasion of the foundation day of ALA.
Goswami said that a fellowship of Rs 10 lakh would also be given annually to some expert, academic or journalist to carry out historical study and research on the Legislative Assembly.
From this year, the ALA will also provide internship to 20 selected graduate and postgraduate students during semester breaks where they will be guided by Assistant Research Officers to carry out research work.
