Outrage as Kerala appoints panel to raise salaries of ministers
TRIVANDRUM:THE southern state of Kerala has appointed a panel headed by a retired high court judge to revise the salaries and benefits of the ministers and legislators.
The state cabinet headed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which met here Wednesday, asked Justice Ramachandran Nair to submit his proposals in six months.
The civil rights activists protested the decision calling it “anti-people” as they were yet to recover from the POST-COVID-19 financial hardships and rising inflation.
The Congress party that leads the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has not reacted to the move.
“Both the ruling and opposition politicians are on the same page here,” rights activist Dijo Kappen told Gulf Today.
“They have already increased taxes on essential commodities puting a heavy burden on the common people who are already reeling under inflation.”
A legislator currently receives a take-home monthly pay of Rs 70,000, which includes various allowances and a minimum fixed travel entitlement of Rs 20,000.
They can also appoint a driver and a personal aide in addition to a government staff member to assist in official maters.
Besides, they can claim Rs 10 a km as a travelling allowance while moving across India irrespective of the mode and the distance.
They can avail of a first-class air-conditioned railway fare and Rs 0.25 paise per kilometre as incidental expenses.
Free transit coupons of an aggregate value of Rs 300,000, including on the railway network, are also available for their spouses and a companion by any class.
They also get a dearness allowance of Rs 1,000 per day while in the state and Rs 1,200 while travelling outside.
The government pays for their periodical telephone rentals, medical expenses, free travel on the state-owned buses and boats and Rs 2 million in accident insurance.
They can avail of interest-free vehicle advance up to one million rupees and housing loans up to Rs 2 million at a nominal interest.
In addition to free subscriptions to various periodicals, they will get Rs 15,000 every year for buying books.
Both the legislators and their staff members are also entitled to lifelong pensions ater the end of their term.
“A ministership is a windfall for the politicians. They get much fatier pay packets. Besides all the luxuries, they can also put their people on the staff,” Kappen says.