To see that there is impartial increase in the salary of the MLAs, the Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) will form Pay Commissions to recommend changes in the pay structure of members of the ALA.
Informing this during a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday, ALA Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami said, “The Assam Legislative Assembly will form Pay Commission to see that there is impartial increase in the salary of the MLAs and the Commission will give recommendations for change in the salary structure of MLAs of the State.”
He also stated that at regular intervals, the Pay Commission will review the salary structures of the MLAs legislators. Till date, the decision of bringing any change in the pay structure of the MLAs was taken by the legislature.
Informing that the first such Commission will be formed soon, Speaker Goswami also said that in the Commission, there will have three members, including one person having knowledge and expertise of the Assam Legislative Assembly, one retired person who has served in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary or above and Finance Department’s one senior retired official.
Assembly Speaker Goswami further said that the MLAs now are doing full-time job as elected members of the Assembly, they should get an earning in return.
He said, “The Commission will submit its report to the Assembly Speaker, who will then forward the same to the government for approval.”
The Commission will give emphasis on increasing the salaries of the MLAs instead of their allowances so that the MLAs also pay tax according to the increased salary.
He opined that former MLAs should avail their pensions after the age of 60 years.
Informing that a fellowship of Rs 10 lakh would be given annually to some expert, academic or scribe for doing historical study and research on the Assam Legislative Assembly, the Speaker also informed that the Budget Session of the State Assembly will commence on February 6 and conclude on April 6.
The Governor will deliver his speech on the first day of the Session and the Budget will be tabled on March 12.
Goswami also informed that the Assam Legislative Assembly will also launch a ‘Best Legislator Award’ from this year on the basis of the MLAs’ performance and it will be presented on April 7 which is the foundation day of the Assam Legislative Assembly.