Bengal CM announces Rs 40k salary hike for MLAs, ministers

The chief minister said, “MLAs in West Bengal get the lowest salary in the country. Considering this, the state government has decided to increase the monthly salary of MLAs (current salary Rs 10,000 per month), state ministers (current salary Rs 10,900), and Cabinet ministers (current salary Rs 11,000). by Rs 40,000. From now on, Cabinet ministers will get Rs 51,000, state ministers Rs 50,900 and legislators Rs 50,000 per month.”

Banerjee, however, said the salary of the chief minister would not be increased.

“I do not withdraw salary. I also do not take my pension as the central minister. Whatever I get from the royalty of my books is enough for me. So, I decided not to increase the salary of the chief minister,” Banerjee said.

Assembly sources said the current basic salary of MLAs is Rs 10,000 and their gross salary, including allowances, is Rs 1 lakh. After the hike, they would now get the basic salary of Rs 50,000 and a gross of salary Rs 1.5 lakh, they said.

Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari, however, said that he did not support the “unilateral decision”.

Addressing reporters outside the Raj Bhavan Thursday, Adhikari said, “I do not support the decision. The decision was taken unilaterally. We were not in the session. We instead demand a pay hike for the state government employees. We don’t want an increase in allowance. We want the chief minister to announce equal pay for Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, rural police, civic volunteers, temporary workers and vocational teachers.”

Adhikari added that instead of increasing the salaries of ministers and MLAs, the state should settle the Dearness Allowances dues of the government employees, police, teachers and retired pensioners.