Patna, July 23: Bihar government has approved amendment to Bihar State Legislature (Members' Salary, Allowances And Pension) Act, 1960, to enhance the perks of the members of the state legislature, an official spokesman said today. The cabinet gave its nod on the proposal for allowing legislators to employ an assistant to help them carry on their responsibilities as public representatives for which they would be paid an additional amount of Rs 5,000 per month, the spokesman said.
The cabinet, which met here yesterday, also decided to raise the daily allowance of legislators from Rs 300 to Rs 400, he added.
MLAs and MLCs would also be entitled for air travel for which they would be reimbursed up to Rs 50,000 per year but legislators entitled to take an attendant during rail journey would not enjoy the same benefit in air travel, he said.
He said the bill also proposes installation of telephones at the official residence of legislators in Patna and the place of their choice in their constituencies.
Besides, the minimum pension of former MLAs and MLCs would be enhanced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month, he said adding the new facilities would entail an additional burden of Rs 5.47 crore on the state exchequer.
Bureau Report