Bengal Assembly passes bill to increase salaries of MLAs

Kolkata: The West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill to increase the salary of MLAs and ministers to Rs 40,000 per month.
Members of the opposition BJP were not present in the House when the Members Remuneration (Amendment) Bill 2023 was approved.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was present in the Assembly, said, ‘I have increased the salary in the right way and if I get a chance, I will increase it again.’

Earlier, MLAs used to get Rs 10,000, State Ministers Rs 10,900 and Ministers in-charge Rs 11,000. He had earlier said that now he will get Rs 50,000, Rs 50,900 and Rs 51,000 per month. BJP had criticized the decision to increase the salaries of MLAs.

‘Those who have a lot of money are shouting and creating ruckus. There are many MLAs who have assets worth several crores and they do not need more than that,” Banerjee said.

But there are others who earn a living, he said: “We have panchayat members who work for the 100-day scheme. They are not causing any problems. Doesn’t your heart cry for them?’ Attacking the BJP, the Chief Minister of West Bengal said that wearing saffron does not make one a saint.

Banerjee had said on September 7 that the salary of MLAs of West Bengal Assembly is much less compared to other states.