Himachal Pradesh Assembly Approves Salary Hikes Amid Financial Challenges
Despite facing a financial crisis, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed bills to increase the salaries and allowances of MLAs, ministers, and other dignitaries. This marks the first revision since 2016, with salaries rising by ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per month.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu introduced three amendment bills concerning the salaries, allowances, and pensions of ministers, MLAs, the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker, which were approved by voice vote.
Salary Hikes for Ministers and MLAs
- Chief Minister: ₹95,000 → ₹1.15 lakh per month
- Cabinet Ministers: ₹80,000 → ₹95,000 per month
- Speaker: ₹80,000 → ₹95,000 per month (+ ₹5,000 compensatory allowance)
- Deputy Speaker: ₹75,000 → ₹92,000 per month (+ ₹5,000 compensatory allowance)
- MLAs: ₹55,000 → ₹70,000 per month
Additionally, the daily allowance for MLAs has been increased from ₹1,800 to ₹2,500, the constituency allowance from ₹90,000 to ₹1.20 lakh, and the office allowance from ₹30,000 to ₹90,000 per month.
Changes in Allowances
- Hospitality allowance: ₹95,000 → ₹1.50 lakh for CM and Speaker; ₹1.25 lakh for Deputy Speaker
- Travel advance: ₹25,000 → ₹50,000
- Free travel limit for MLAs: Reduced from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh
- Taxi travel reimbursement: Now on an actual basis, but limited to ₹25 per km and a maximum of ₹6 lakh
Abolished Allowances
The government has abolished the electricity and water bill allowance, along with the ₹20,000 telephone allowance for MLAs. Former MLAs will also no longer receive a telephone allowance. Sukhu announced that any excess expenses on electricity, water, and telephone bills will now have to be paid from salaries.
Automatic Salary Revisions from 2030
Starting April 1, 2030, salaries of MLAs will be revised automatically every five years based on the price index, eliminating the need for legislative approval in future revisions.
