Leader of Opposition of 18th Lok Sabha: status, salary, allowances

“‘Leader of the Opposition’, in relation to either House of Parliament, means that member of the Council of States or the House of the People, as the case may be, who is, for the time being, the Leader in that House of the party in opposition to the Government having the greatest numerical strength and recognised as such by the Chairman of the Council of States or the Speaker of the House of the People, as the case may be,” as per the definition stated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.

LoP status

The Congress this time got 99 seats and then increased its tally by one – touching the 100 mark – after Independent Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra Vishal Patil extended support to the party. So, there are higher chances of a Congress MP becoming the LoP.

The MP holding the post will also be a member of crucial committees, including Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, Estimates, several Joint Parliamentary Committees, and so on. S/he is also entitled to be a member of various selection committees responsible for appointing heads of statutory bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Information Commission, the CBI, the NHRC, and the Lokpal, among others.

Salary and sumptuary allowances

📌Each Leader of the Opposition shall be entitled to receive a salary per mensem (every month) and allowances for each day at the same rates as are specified in Section 3 of the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954.

📌Each Leader of the Opposition shall also be entitled to receive a constituency allowance at the same rate as is for the time being specified under Section 8 of the said Act with respect to Members of Parliament.

📌 A sumptuary allowance of Rs 2,000 per month will be paid to each leader of the Opposition.

Where will the LoP reside?

📌Each LoP, so long as s/he continues as such Leader and for a period of one month immediately after, can use the allotted furnished residence without payment of rent. The maintenance of the residence is also covered.

📌 In the event of the death of a Leader of the Opposition, his/her family shall be entitled to the use of the furnished residence occupied by them for a period of one month immediately after the death.

After a month, rates prescribed by rules of the Union Government will be applicable including charges in respect of electricity and water consumed in that residence.

Lastly, no Leader of the Opposition who received a salary or allowances under this Act is entitled to receive any sum out of funds provided by Parliament by way of salary or allowance in respect of their membership of either the Upper or Lower House.

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