The House Committee report recommends substantial hikes for MLAs’ pay, allowances and pensions as the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeks to align its remuneration with other states and union territories.

Jammu and Kashmir | Tuesday, October 28 2025

The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly autumn session on Monday witnessed the tabling of a crucial House Committee report recommending a major overhaul of the MLAs salary revision in J&K, including significant increases in salaries, allowances, and pensionary benefits. The proposed revisions, if approved, would mark one of the most extensive compensation adjustments for legislators in the Union Territory’s recent history.

The House Committee on J&K MLAs pay—chaired by senior legislator Surjeet Singh Slathia—submitted its findings after a detailed comparative study of compensation models across Indian states and union territories. The panel concluded that J&K UT MLAs compensation adjustment was long overdue, as legislators’ remuneration had remained static for several years despite rising workloads and inflationary pressures.

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Key Highlights of the Report

The House Committee J&K MLAs pay report recommends raising the basic salary of MLAs from ₹60,000 to ₹80,000 per month. Including allowances, each MLA’s total monthly package could now reach around ₹3 lakh.

Under the proposed revision, J&K MLAs allowances such as the Constituency Conveyance Allowance, Telephone Allowance, and Medical Allowance would also see major enhancements. The panel has suggested:

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

Additionally, the committee proposed raising the housing loan limit from ₹10 lakh to ₹75 lakh and increasing the motor car advance from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh, aligning J&K’s benefits with those of larger states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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Focus on Ex-Legislators’ Pensionary Benefits

A key section of the report addresses J&K pensionary benefits ex-legislators, calling for an increase in pension amounts and broader eligibility criteria for dependent family members. The House Committee suggested extending pension benefits to widowed and divorced daughters and enhancing the monthly pension to better reflect current living standards.

The panel argued that former legislators, who contributed significantly to the region’s governance over the decades, deserve fair and sustainable support. Enhanced pensions, it said, would promote dignity for retired representatives while aligning with national norms.

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Rationale Behind the Revision

According to the report, the MLAs salary revision J&K was deemed necessary to maintain parity with other assemblies. Legislators in several Indian states earn higher pay despite smaller jurisdictions and fewer legislative days.

The committee’s findings reveal that J&K MLAs allowances and benefits lag behind even smaller UTs like Puducherry and Delhi. In his remarks while tabling the report, Slathia emphasized that “the financial and representational responsibilities of J&K legislators are far greater due to unique geographical, administrative, and developmental challenges.”

The report also cites cost-of-living increases, extended constituency travel, and 24/7 public service demands as justification for the proposed J&K UT MLAs compensation adjustment.

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Implementation and Legal Framework

Once debated and approved, the recommendations will require amendments to the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960. The Finance Department will first review the fiscal implications before the cabinet considers final approval.

The committee has proposed that the revisions take effect retrospectively from November 1, 2024, which could generate substantial arrears for sitting members. Legislative sources suggest that the government will weigh fiscal prudence against political optics before approving the full package.

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Political and Public Reaction

Reactions to the House Committee J&K MLAs pay report have been mixed across political lines.

Members from the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) welcomed the recommendations, saying fair compensation would empower legislators to focus on public service without financial strain.

However, opposition voices—including civil society and public policy groups—criticized the move, arguing that J&K’s economy is still stabilizing post-reorganization and that lawmakers should prioritize governance and employment rather than their own pay.

Public sentiment on social media echoed similar skepticism. Many residents questioned whether MLAs’ performance and accountability justify such increases. Analysts pointed out that the J&K MLAs allowances proposal will face scrutiny given the region’s fiscal constraints and reliance on central grants.

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Fiscal Impact and Governance Context

The fiscal burden of the MLAs salary revision J&K remains under review, but preliminary estimates suggest an additional annual expenditure of ₹50–60 crore if all recommendations are approved.

Economists say this figure, while significant, is manageable if offset by reforms in legislative efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The Jammu & Kashmir assembly autumn session has also taken up related proposals on administrative cost-cutting and modernization of legislative operations.

Observers note that the debate reflects a broader national conversation about balancing representative welfare with fiscal discipline. As one economist put it, “Compensation reform is not just about higher pay—it’s about institutional dignity and better governance outcomes.”

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Comparative Insights: J&K vs Other States

The House Committee J&K MLAs pay report benchmarked legislator salaries against counterparts in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka, where MLAs currently earn between ₹2 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh per month in total pay and benefits.

By comparison, even with the proposed hikes, J&K MLAs allowances and pay would remain on the lower end of the national average. However, the symbolic importance of aligning J&K with other union territories is significant—it reaffirms the region’s full legislative parity following the 2019 constitutional reorganization.

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The Road Ahead

The Assembly will now deliberate on the report during the final days of the Jammu & Kashmir assembly autumn session. If approved, the Finance Department will notify the revised scales and implement them in the next fiscal year.

Experts predict that the implementation process will include strict reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance and prevent misuse of allowances. The government is also expected to establish a periodic review committee to avoid another long gap between revisions.

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