Shimla | March 28, 2025
As Himachal Pradesh reels under a financial crisis, its MLAs and ministers have ensured their own prosperity by passing a massive 24% hike in salaries and allowances.
The Vidhan Sabha today approved three bills that will cost the exchequer a whopping Rs 24 crore annually, adding to the state's staggering debt of over Rs 1 lakh crore.
This comes just ahead of Navratras, when the state government has also greenlit Rs 138 crore for a new Metropol Building for MLAs, raising serious questions about priorities.
The Numbers Speak: A Bonanza for the Political Class
After nine years, legislators have ensured they pocket hefty raises. The new salaries and allowances are as follows:
Chief Minister: Rs 1.15 lakh (earlier Rs 95,000)
Speaker: Rs 95,000 (earlier Rs 80,000)
Deputy Speaker: Rs 92,000 (earlier Rs 75,000)
Cabinet Ministers: Rs 95,000 (earlier Rs 80,000)
State Ministers: Rs 93,000 (earlier Rs 78,000)
Deputy Ministers: Rs 80,000 (earlier Rs 75,000)
MLAs: Rs 70,000 (earlier Rs 55,000)
Additionally, allowances and pensions of former legislators have also been increased. This lavish spending includes:
Rs 20-22 crore on MLAs' salaries and pensions
Rs 35 lakh annually for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Rs 2 crore for ministers' salary hikes
Here is the revised monthly income for top positions in Himachal Pradesh after the salary hike:
1. Chief Minister (CM)
Basic Salary: ₹85,000 (previously ₹75,000)
Daily Allowance: ₹2,500 per day (assuming 30 days: ₹75,000)
Constituency Allowance: ₹1,20,000 (previously ₹90,000)
Office Allowance: ₹90,000 (previously ₹30,000)
Total Monthly Income: ₹3,70,000 per month
2. Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM)
Basic Salary: ₹80,000 (previously ₹70,000)
Daily Allowance: ₹2,500 per day (₹75,000)
Constituency Allowance: ₹1,20,000
Office Allowance: ₹90,000
Total Monthly Income: ₹3,65,000 per month
3. Ministers (Cabinet & State Ministers)
Basic Salary: ₹80,000 (previously ₹70,000)
Daily Allowance: ₹2,500 per day (₹75,000)
Constituency Allowance: ₹1,20,000
Office Allowance: ₹90,000
Total Monthly Income: ₹3,65,000 per month
4. Speaker of the Assembly
Basic Salary: ₹80,000 (previously ₹70,000)
Daily Allowance: ₹2,500 per day (₹75,000)
Constituency Allowance: ₹1,20,000
Office Allowance: ₹90,000
Total Monthly Income: ₹3,65,000 per month
5. Deputy Speaker
Basic Salary: ₹75,000 (previously ₹65,000)
Daily Allowance: ₹2,500 per day (₹75,000)
Constituency Allowance: ₹1,20,000
Office Allowance: ₹90,000
Total Monthly Income: ₹3,60,000 per month
These figures are based on the recent pay hike approved by the Himachal Pradesh government.
While the bill, claims CM is to promote "honest and clean politics," critics argue it only benefits politicians while ignoring the financial struggles of ordinary citizens.
Common Man Left with Peanuts
Contrast this windfall with the plight of ordinary citizens. The social security pension for the elderly, widows, and disabled stands at a meager Rs 1,000 per month—barely enough to buy basic necessities.
Himachal’s apple farmers, small traders, and daily wage earners continue to suffer under rising inflation and economic distress, yet the government has prioritized MLA perks over public welfare.
Debt-Ridden State, But Perks Continue
Despite this financial burden, the state government has sanctioned Rs 138 crore for the construction of a new Metropol Building to house MLAs.
This comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is struggling to pay salaries on time, with the state announcing that government employees will receive their salaries on the 5th and pensions on the 10th of every month to manage cash flows.
Political Class Unites for Self-Interest
Both Congress and BJP MLAs thumped their tables in approval of the bills, showing rare unity when it came to their own benefits.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, ministers Chander Kumar, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Jagat Singh Negi, and MLAs Hans Raj, Sanjay Rattan, Rakesh Kalia, ID Gandhi, and Vinod Kumar all supported the hike, arguing that legislators "deserve" an increase like other sections of society.
Public silent Outrage Grows
The move has sparked silent anger among citizens who question why financial crisis is only cited when it comes to public welfare schemes, not MLA benefits.
Why they keep on telling public that they have come to politics for service and Seva?
It is all rubbish and sheer hypocrisy, they are here to make money, said the angry citizens.
"For years, we’ve been told there’s no money for pensioners, infrastructure, or disaster relief and for social security of common citizens.
But when it comes to increasing their own salaries, the politicians magically find crores!" said a retired government employee from Shimla.
The Bottom Line: Welfare for Politicians, Austerity for Citizens
At a time when common people are struggling to make ends meet, this 24% salary hike exposes the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to serve the public.
With the state drowning in debt, this decision will only widen the gap between the ruling elite and the ordinary taxpayer.
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