By IANS
Ranchi : The Jharkhand government is planning to bring a bill in next session of the assembly to increase pension and other facilities for the former legislators.
Former legislators who at present get a monthly pension of Rs.3,000 will get Rs.8,000. The annual increment will be hiked from Rs.500 to Rs.800.
According to official sources, while at present the former legislators enjoy travelling allowances up to Rs.100,000, it would be doubled at Rs.200,000 if the proposed bill is cleared by the assembly.
The former legislators are happy with the proposed hike. “There are many instances of former MLAs leading a miserable life. A person who represented people for five years deserves a good life after his term expires,” said Jamuna Singh, a former legislator.
The Jharkhand government has already increased the salary of the legislators. When the state was carved out from Bihar in November 2000, a legislator got Rs.11,000 per month. It has been increased to Rs.39,500.
The Local Area Development Fund allocation has been increased from Rs.10 million to Rs.30 million per annum.