The Uttar Pradesh assembly on Monday passed the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members Emoluments and Pension) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The bill provides for an increase in family pension to the dependents of former lawmakers from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 25,000 per month. The amendment would benefit the families of 312 former MLAs and 25 former MLCs.
The Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members Emoluments and Pension) Act was last amended in 2020 to reduce the salary and certain allowances of MLAs, MLCs, ministers, and whips, by 15 per cent to 30 per cent. This reduction was done for a period of one year with effect from April 1, 2020.
The amendments to reduce salaries and allowances of MLAs, MLCs, ministers, speakers, and whips, among others were made to supplement the resources with the state to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic. In most states in India, state legislators decide their salaries and allowances, by passing a law in their respective state legislatures.
