Jammu and Kashmir Panel Proposes Monthly Salary of Rs 3 Lakh for MLAs

The Jammu and Kashmir government has indicated that it will consider significant salary increases for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) following recommendations from a House Committee. The proposal includes raising the monthly salary from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, as detailed in a report submitted to the Assembly on October 27, 2025.

The committee was established by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on March 24, 2025, in response to a commitment made by the Chief Minister during an Assembly session. Its purpose was to evaluate and recommend adjustments to the salaries, allowances, and facilities provided to both current and former legislators, as well as their personal assistants and public relations officers.

Key Salary Recommendations

According to the committee’s report, the proposed revisions aim to enhance the financial entitlements of MLAs substantially. The basic salary is recommended to increase from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000 monthly. Additionally, the committee has suggested various allowances, including:

• Constituency Conveyance Allowance: Rs 1.10 lakh
• Telephone Allowance: Rs 30,000
• Medical Allowance: Rs 20,000
• Sumptuary Allowance: Rs 30,000
• Secretariat Assistance Allowance: Rs 30,000

These adjustments would bring the total monthly entitlement for MLAs to Rs 3 lakh.

Additional Proposals and Context

The House Committee has also put forth recommendations to revise housing and vehicle loan limits. It suggests increasing the housing loan limit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 75 lakh and the car advance from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Furthermore, the committee recommends raising the monthly salary for MLAs’ personal assistants to Rs 25,000, up from the current Rs 12,000.

On the topic of pensionary benefits, the committee has proposed a fixed monthly pension and allowances of Rs 1.10 lakh for former legislators. It also recommends proportional salary adjustments for key positions, including the Chief Minister, Speaker, Ministers, and the Leader of the Opposition, through necessary amendments to existing regulations.

The proposed salary revisions are intended to have a retrospective effect from November 1, 2024, which coincides with the commencement of new salary and allowance provisions for current members.

The committee emphasized that fulfilling the role of a legislator is a full-time commitment. It noted that current compensation structures make it challenging for MLAs to manage the increasing costs associated with their public responsibilities. The report concluded that a comprehensive analysis of salary trends in other states and Union Territories informed these recommendations.

Once the Assembly reviews the committee’s report, the Jammu and Kashmir government plans to take appropriate actions to implement these recommendations.