Centre increases MPs' salaries, allowances and pensions
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New Delhi: The Centre has increased the salaries, allowances and pensions of Members of Parliament with effect from April 1, 2023, according to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on Monday.
The salary of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members has been raised to Rs 1.24 lakh per month from Rs 1 lakh at present, whereas the daily allowance has been raised to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 earlier, the notification states.
The pension for former MPs has been hiked to Rs 31,000 per month, an increase from the current Rs 25,000. Additionally, the extra pension for every year of service beyond five years has also risen from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, the notification states.
The revision in salaries, allowances and pensions for the MPs has been announced amid the ongoing budget session of the Parliament. The earlier revision of the salary and allowances paid to sitting and former MPs was announced in April 2018.
The base pay for an MP announced in the revision in 2018 was Rs 1,00,000 per month. This revision aimed to align their salary with the rising rates of inflation and the growing cost of living.
As per the 2018 revision, MPs receive various allowances to support their work, including a constituency allowance of ₹70,000 per month, an office allowance of ₹60,000 per month, and a daily allowance of ₹2,000 during parliamentary sessions. These allowances will also be increased.
In addition to this, MPs also get an allowance annually for phone and internet usage. They enjoy 34 free domestic flights per year for themselves and their families and first-class train travel at any time for professional and personal use. They can also claim a mileage allowance when they use roads. MPs also enjoy the benefits of 50,000 free units of electricity and 4,000 kilolitres of water annually.
The government takes care of their housing and accommodation too. During their five-year term, MPs are provided with rent-free housing in New Delhi. They could get hostel rooms, apartments, or bungalows based on their seniority. Individuals who opt not to utilise the official accommodations are eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance.
(inputs from IANS)