Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29 BJP Keralam president and Nemom MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday said he would not accept enhanced salaries and allowances approved for legislators by the state Assembly, citing the state’s poor financial condition.
He said all allowances he receives as an MLA would henceforth be utilised for the welfare of poor people in his Nemom constituency.
Chandrasekhar said the government had failed to ensure justice for ASHA workers and PSC aspirants and should not have increased the salaries and allowances of ministers and MLAs.
He also alleged that there was no difference between the Pinarayi Vijayan government and the V D Satheesan government in pursuing anti-people policies.
Earlier in the day, the state Assembly passed a Bill to increase the salaries and allowances of ministers and MLAs, as well as the pensions of former legislators, before adjourning sine die after its nine-day session.
The Bill was passed without opposition from either the ruling or opposition benches. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan appreciated the House for the smooth passage of the legislation.
Under the revised structure, the total monthly salary and allowances of an MLA will increase from Rs 70,000 to Rs 98,000, a hike of Rs 28,000.
(PTI News)
