Himachal Assembly approves massive hike for MLAs and Ministers, linked to price index

Himachalscape bureau Published: March 28, 2025 | Updated: March 28, 2025 3 minutes read

Shimla, March 28,

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The Himachal Pradesh government has passed a bill in the state assembly approving a big hike in the salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister, Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The revised salaries will now be linked to the price index, ensuring an automatic revision every five years. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, introduced three separate bills proposing the revisions. The salary hike is expected to increase the financial burden on the state exchequer by approximately Rs 25 crore annually.

On the last day of the assembly session, the bill was introduced under the supplementary agenda. Following the revision, the Chief Minister’s monthly salary will now be Rs 1,15,000, while Cabinet Ministers will receive Rs 95,000 and Ministers of State Rs 93,000. The Deputy Minister’s salary has been raised to Rs 80,000. The Chief Minister’s salary cumulative will rise from ₹2.65 lakh to ₹3.40 lakh per month, while the salaries of Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker will increase from ₹2.55 lakh to ₹3.30 lakh per month.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s salaries have increased from Rs 80,000 to Rs 95,000 per month, while their hospitality and other allowances have risen from Rs 95,000 to Rs 1,50,000. MLAs will now receive Rs 70,000 per month, up from Rs 55,000.

The estimated financial impact of the hike includes Rs 20-22 crore annually for MLAs, Rs 2 crore for the Chief Minister and Ministers, and Rs 35 lakh for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The increase in salary and allowances has been structured as a 12% rise in each category. Additionally, a telephone allowance of Rs 15,000 may now be added to an MLA’s allowances and claimed along with their salary.

This is the first salary hike for Himachal Pradesh legislators since May 2016, making it a significant increase after nearly nine years. Prior to this revision, MLAs in the state received a total monthly package of approximately Rs 2.10 lakh, which included a basic salary of Rs 55,000, office allowance of Rs 30,000, assembly constituency allowance of Rs 90,000, telephone allowance of Rs 15,000, data operator allowance of Rs 15,000, and a compensatory allowance of Rs 5,000.

The daily allowance has now been increased from ₹1,800 to ₹2,500, the constituency allowance has been raised from ₹90,000 to ₹1.20 lakh per month, and the office allowance has been hiked from ₹30,000 to ₹90,000 per month.

Noteworthy that the legislators basic salary has seen a steady rise over the years, increasing from ₹15,000 in 2010 to ₹30,000, then reaching ₹55,000 in 2016, and now being further raised to ₹70,000 in 2025.

The bills were passed without any discussion through a voice vote. Notably, the Central Government has also recently approved a similar 24% salary hike for its legislators, recently.

MLA hostel declared unsafe

Earlier in the Assembly, CM Sukhu stated that the 121-year-old Old Metropole building, which houses MLAs, has been declared unsafe. He urged Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to stop allotting accommodations there.

Sukhu warned that despite safety concerns, MLAs and staff continue to reside there, risking a potential disaster. The government has approved ₹38 crore for a new building, with an additional ₹100 crore likely required.

MLAs vacating Metropole will receive a monthly housing allowance of ₹15,000.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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