UP legislators get 70 pc hike

The UP government on Monday decided to make a hefty hike of nearly 70 per cent in the salary and allowances of members of both Houses of the state legislature. The salaries and allowances of presiding officers,the Leader of Opposition and ministers would also be raised.

MLAs and MLCs will get Rs 50,000 per month,as against Rs 30,000 at present. The hike,announced by Chief Minister Mayawati in the House on Monday,will cost the exchequer more than Rs 15 crore annually.

Besides,the legislators are also entitled to a daily allowance of Rs 500 when the House is in session or for attending meetings of the committees of the legislature. The salary of legislators were last revised in April 2004.

The salary of the Assembly Speaker,Deputy Speaker,Council Chairman and Deputy Chairman would be hiked to Rs 12,000 from the existing Rs 5,000 per month. The government has decided to increase the salary of ministers from Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,000.