The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has enhanced the salaries, related benefits and pension for its members.
A Bill to amend the Andhra Pradesh Payment of Salaries and Pension and Removal of Disqualification Act, 1953 has been passed in the House on Wednesday.
It is proposed to enhance the salary from Rs 95,000 to Rs 1,25,000, the accommodation allowance has been hiked from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and pension has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
Other provisions include increase in cash in lieu of Railway Coupons from Rs 98,700 up to 70,000 km to Rs 1,00,000 up to 70,922 km.
They also get an allowance of magazines and books of Rs 20,000 now, there was no provision for this earlier.
While the motor car/house building advance (recoverable) has been enhanced from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the constituency allowance has been increased from Rs 83,000 to Rs 1,38,000. It has also provided for widow/widower pension, of Rs 25,000, this was not present earlier.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the change relates to the enhancement of salary and other allowances to the Legislators along with enhancement of pension to the former legislators and to widows/widowers of former legislators by amending the Andhra Pradesh Payment of Salaries and Pension and Removal of Disqualification Act, 1953.
The Committee of Amenities on March 22, 2016 unanimously opined that the present amount of salary, allowances of the members and pension are meagre and need upward revision. As per the suggestions, the amendments were made.
