BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has approved a 100 per cent salary hike for the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs, sparking a heated debate. The approval was granted for two amendment bills.
The approval was granted for the Karnataka Ministersâ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Legislature Membersâ Salaries, Pensions, and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025. Sources indicate that the bills are likely to be tabled in the Assembly on Thursday itself.
Home Minister G Parameshwara justified the hike, citing rising expenditures and the need for lawmakers to survive. âThe justification is that their expenditure is also going up along with other people. A common man is also suffering, and MLAs are also suffering. So, recommendations have come from MLAs and others, and that is why the Chief Minister has taken the decision. Everybody has to survive and CM will manage to give this money from some accountâŠâ, Parameshwara said.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: On salary hike proposed for Karnataka MLAs, Home Minister G Parameshwara says âThe justification is that their expenditure is also going up along with other people. A common man is also suffering, and MLAs are also suffering. So, recommendations have come from⊠pic.twitter.com/yIGYTgFnjO
â ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2025
Industries Minister M B Patil also defended the proposal, arguing that raising lawmakersâ pay and perks is acceptable if decided by an independent committee. Patil pointed out that even the Prime Minister, Ministers, and MPs are among the highest-paid in the world, which makes them more independent and less corrupt.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: On the salary hike proposed for Karnataka MLAs, state Minister MB Patil says, â There is nothing wrong in the salary and perks of MLAs being raised, it is not fair if we do it ourselves thatâs why a committee is there which is recommendedâŠyou take the⊠pic.twitter.com/G4BUzYqElu
â ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2025
âThere is nothing wrong in the salary and perks of MLAs being raised, it is not fair if we do it ourselves; thatâs why a committee is there which is recommendedâŠyou take the example, the PM, Ministers and MPs are highest paid in the worldâŠthat makes them very independent not corruptâŠwe cannot compare our salaries to Singapore but still decent pay should be givenâŠ,â said MB Patil.
However, not everyone is convinced. Congress legislator Dr Ranganath expressed uncertainty about the matter and didnât expect a personal raise. He acknowledged that some MLAs require a basic salary to manage expenses, but suggested a more modest hike of 10-20 per cent.
âI am not very sure about this issue. I am a doctor and MLA. I am not expecting that hike personally, but there are many MLAs who need a basic salary. If they give a hike, it wonât be more than 10 or 20 per cent,â said Ranganath. The proposal has sparked debate, with critics questioning the necessity of a hike while the state faces various financial âchallengesâ. (ANI)
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