Bengaluru: It’s a big bonanza for Karnataka’s elected representatives as the state Cabinet approved a 100% pay hike for them.
Following the pay revision, the Karnataka chief minister’s salary will increase Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh per month, ministers will receive Rs 1.25 lakh instead of Rs 60,000 while MLAs will take home Rs 80,000 compared to the existing earn Rs 40,000 per month.
These figures don’t account for additional allowances and perks, which enhance total earnings of public representatives substantially.
The state budget and proposal to increase legislators’ salaries were passed in the Karnataka Assembly amidst vehement protests by BJP MLAs.
Opposition members stormed the podium and flung papers towards Speaker UT Khader. Despite their show of dissent and the uproar, the House approved the budget along with bills sanctioning increases in salaries, pensions, and allowances of MLAs, ministers, and the chief minister.
The increased salaries will move Karnataka up in the list of higher-paying states for public representatives, but it still falls short of the figures in some other states.
Telangana legislators and ministers top the list, with its chief minister drawing Rs 4.10 lakh per month, followed by Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, according to a News 18 report. Karnataka will now become the fifth highest-paying state for elected representatives.
Top Salaries Of Legislators Across States
Telangana — CM Rs 4.10 lakh, Ministers Rs 3 to 3.5 lakh, MLAs Rs 2.5 lakh
Delhi — CM Rs 3.90 lakh, Ministers Rs 3 lakh, MLAs Rs 90,000
Uttar Pradesh — CM Rs 3.65 lakh, Ministers Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh, MLAs Rs 1.87 lakh
Maharashtra — CM Rs 3.40 lakh, Ministers Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh, MLAs Rs 1.60 lakh
Karnataka (post-hike) — CM Rs 3 lakh, Ministers Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh, MLAs Rs 1.60 lakh.