AGARTALA, April 6 - Against the shadow of severe financial constraint, Tripura Government today hiked the salaries, allowances, pension and other benefits of Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Chief Whip and MLAs by 15 per cent.
Shortly after the Question Hour in the State Assembly today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tapan Chakraborty tabled an amendment Bill � The salaries, allowances, pension and other benefits of Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Chief Whip and MLAs seeking the House�s nod, on Wednesday.
As expected, both treasury bench and the opposition members supported the amendment bill. Under the bill, the salary of the Chief Minister has been increased to Rs 26,315 per month while salaries of Minister and Minister of State have been hiked to Rs 25,890 per month and Rs 25,255 per month respectively.
Speaker�s salary has been enhanced to Rs 25,990 per month while Deputy Speaker will draw Rs 25,255 per month, according to the bill. Salaries of Leader of Opposition and Chief Whip have been increased to Rs 25,890 per month while salaries of MLAs have been hiked to Rs 24,200 per month. Apart from hike in the salaries, allowances of Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Chief Whip and MLAs have also been increased.
In the bill it was mentioned the price index has substantially gone up and due to the price hike of all essential commodities and paid services, the existing quantum of the salaries, allowances, etc., of Ministers and MLAs are required to be proportionately enhanced.
Due to financial constraints, the Bill limits the proposal to a modest rise of 15 per cent over the existing rate of their salaries, allowances and other benefits except TA/DA, it mentioned.
The government will have to bear an additional annual expenditure of Rs 34.97 lakh approximately to implement the rise in salaries, pension, etc.
