Good news for MPs: Hike in salary, allowances and pension

The central government has announced a hike in the salary, allowances and pension of MPs and former MPs from April 1, 2023. According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the salary of members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been increased from the present Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.24 lakh per month, while the daily allowance has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.

The pension given to former MPs has also been increased from the present Rs 25,000 to Rs 31,000 per month. The additional pension for each year of service beyond five years has been increased from the earlier Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500. The amendment has been made amid the ongoing budget session of Parliament.

The last revision in the salaries of MPs was done in 2018, fixing the basic salary at Rs 1,00,000 per month. This was aimed at bringing their pay in line with inflation and the rising cost of living. As per the 2018 amendment, MPs get Rs 70,000 as constituency allowance, Rs 60,000 as office allowance and Rs 2,000 as daily allowance during parliamentary sessions.

Besides this, MPs get an annual allowance for phone and internet usage, 34 free domestic flights, first class train travel, mileage allowance, 50,000 units of electricity and 4,000 kilolitres of water free of cost. The government also provides them rent-free accommodation in New Delhi.