Pay hike for MLAs, MLCs under examination

The Telangana government is examining the issue of increasing the salaries of MLAs and MLCs in view of their "grossly inadequate" pay structure. Several MLAs and MLCs have submitted representations in this regard to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and also Legislature Secretary in recent times, a release from Rao's office said. The issue was discussed today at a meeting held by the Chief Minister, it said. The demand for raising the salaries in Telangana was discussed against the backdrop of hike in emoluments of MLAs and MLCs in several states, the release said. The Telangana legislators now get Rs 95,000 per month and their salary bill coupled with those having Cabinet rank, would be to the tune of Rs 14.94 crore per annum, it said. Observing that MLAs and MLCs have to meet a lot of "political and non-political expenses" every month, it said the present salary structure is "grossly inadequate" to meet the actual expenses. There is an estimate that about Rs 3 lakh is spent every month by the MLAs and MLCs to meet expenses, including paying for meals of their staff, providing financial assistance to different persons and also to attend various programmes in the constituency, it said. The Delhi Assembly recently approving a hefty hike in basic salary and allowances of its members was also discussed at the meeting, the release said. The salary hike issue would be debated further and a final decision was yet to be taken, it added.