Dimapur, July 26 (MExN): Allegations and brickbats rule the day in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly but the politicians are totally in agreement on one thing – hike in salary. Or its more seriously descriptive form – the Nagaland salaries and allowances for chief minister, other ministers, speaker, leader of opposition, deputy speaker, parliamentary secretaries and other members of the Nagaland legislative assembly and pension for ex-members (first amendment bill, 2010).
The total approximate expenditure to be met from the consolidated fund of the state will be Rs.3, 09, 86000. The bill was moved by Minister for Planning and Coordination TR Zeliang on Friday. The house committee consisting of Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie, Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan, MLA Chingwang Konyak, MLA Shetoyi, MLA H Chuba Chang and MLA Joshua Sumi recommended the amendment of the Act and revision of the pay structure on February 18, 2009.
The bill seeks to enhance salaries, allowances and other facilities for the chief minister, other ministers, speaker, leader of opposition, deputy speaker, parliamentary secretaries and other members of the assembly and pension for ex-members. The bill has recommended that the monthly salary/allowance of the chief minister be enhanced to Rs. 22,000, other ministers at Rs.20,000, speaker at Rs.20,000, leader of opposition at Rs.19,000, parliamentary secretaries at Rs.18,000 and other MLAs at Rs.16,000.
The bill has further recommended the chief minister be entitled to a monthly POL per vehicle at Rs.22, 000, ministers at Rs.15, 000, speaker at Rs.22, 000, leader of opposition at Rs.15, 000, deputy speaker at Rs 13,000 and parliamentary secretaries Rs.15, 000. An additional 100 liters will be given for MLAs whose constituency is within 150 kms from Kohima, 150 litres if constituency is between 150 to 300 kms from Kohima and 200 litres if the constituency is more than 300 kms from Kohima.
Apart from enhancement of other facilities such as accommodation, telephones, newspapers, appointment of personnel staff/assembly and secretariat staff, the bill recommended that the chief minister be entitled to monthly hospitality allowance of Rs.10, 000, other ministers at Rs. 8000, speaker at Rs.10, 000, leader of opposition, deputy speaker, parliamentary secretaries and other MLAs at Rs.8,000 each.
The bill also recommended enhancement of monthly pension for ex-members for the first term served in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to Rs.16, 000. Additional pension per month for every additional term served in the assembly is Rs.1, 000. Family pension for the spouse or dependent of the ex-member is Rs.8, 000 per month.
On account of the hike in salaries allowances and facilities for chief minister, other ministers, speaker, opposition leader, deputy speaker, parliamentary secretaries and MLAs, there will be an additional recurring expenditure of Rs.18, 00, 2000 per annum. On account of an increase in pension for about 135 ex-MLAs there will be an additional recurring expenditure of approximately Rs.2,46,24000 per annum, and account of family pension for about 95 pensioners there will be an additional recurring expenditure of about Rs.45,60,000per annum.
