Ranchi: The Jharkhand Cabinet has sanctioned a significant salary increase for ministers and MLAs, including the Chief Minister. This decision, approved on Wednesday, boosts the salaries, allowances, and other benefits for key legislative positions such as the Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, and Whip.
Expressing their satisfaction, ministers and MLAs welcomed the approved salary hike.
As per the new pay structure, the Chief Minister’s salary will see a 25% increase, MLAs will enjoy a 50% raise, and ministers will benefit from a 31% hike.
Under the revised pay scales, the Chief Minister’s basic salary will rise from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month, excluding perks and allowances. Additionally, the area allowance for the Chief Minister will increase from Rs 80,000 to Rs 95,000, while the refreshment allowance will go up from Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000.
Ministers will see their basic salary increase from Rs 65,000 to Rs 85,000, and legislators’ salaries will rise from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000. They will also receive an enhanced area allowance of Rs 95,000, up from Rs 80,000, and a refreshment allowance of Rs 55,000, up from Rs 45,000.
The Assembly Speaker’s salary will increase from Rs 78,000 to Rs 98,000, the Leader of the Opposition’s salary will rise from Rs 65,000 to Rs 85,000, and the Chief Whip’s salary will go up from Rs 55,000 to Rs 75,000.
MLAs’ area allowance will increase from Rs 65,000 to Rs 80,000 per month, with their refreshment allowance rising from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per month.
These changes follow recommendations from a five-member committee that reviewed lawmakers’ salaries, submitting their report in December last year. Another committee in August proposed the increased basic salary for MLAs and suggested raising other allowances for legislators.
