V D Satheesan cabinet takes charge; CM, ministers get attractive pay package
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF government has been sworn in and assumed office in Kerala on Monday. The cabinet led by Chief Minister V D Satheesan has 20 ministers. The UDF Government returned to power with a massive victory after ten years of Left government rule. Here is a detailed look at the salaries and benefits of the chief minister and the other ministers in the new government, which includes many fresh faces.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan will receive a monthly salary of Rs 1,85,000, including basic pay and allowances. He will also be provided with an official vehicle and pilot escort vehicles for travel. In addition, there will be special travel allowances and facilities for train and air travel. The chief minister and his family are entitled to completely free medical treatment. If completes a five-year term, he will also be eligible for a lifetime pension. Cliff House will serve as the official residence of the chief minister, and the bungalow will have round-the-clock security.
The basic salary of ministers is Rs 2,000. They receive Rs 38,429 every month as Dearness Allowance (DA). A constituency allowance of Rs 40,000 is also provided. Ministers are additionally entitled to Rs 17,000 as travel allowance. A minister’s monthly salary is Rs 97,429. Ministers and their families are also entitled to full medical coverage. Other benefits include a vehicle advance of Rs 10 lakh and a house advance of Rs 20 lakh. In addition, ministers are provided with official residences, car, and pilot vehicles.
MLAs receive an approximate monthly salary of Rs 70,000. This includes a constituency allowance of Rs 25,000, travel allowance of Rs 20,000, telephone allowance of Rs 11,000, information allowance of Rs 4,000, and other allowances worth Rs 8,000. They also receive a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 while attending Assembly sessions. MLAs are eligible for a fuel allowance of Rs 10 per kilometre for their personal vehicles, and they are granted lifetime free travel on KSRTC buses. They are also provided with a travel card worth Rs 4 lakh annually for train travel and fuel expenses. This allows the MLA, family members, and one assistant to travel anywhere in India with first-class AC train facilities.