Patna: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor took oath as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Bankipur Today, after winning the constituency’s by-election held on July 30.
Kishor’s election victory marked his first electoral win and the Jan Suraaj Party’s first representation in the Bihar Assembly. He defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha in the by-election.
With his entry into the Assembly, Kishor is entitled to the salary, allowances and other facilities available to members under Bihar’s legislative rules.
Salary And Allowances
Under the Bihar Legislature (Pay, Allowances and Pension) (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the basic monthly salary of an MLA is Rs 50,000. The rules also provide for several allowances.
The commonly reported fixed monthly components include a Rs 55,000 constituency allowance, Rs 40,000 personal assistant allowance and Rs 15,000 stationery allowance. Together with the basic salary, these components amount to Rs 1.60 lakh a month.
An additional daily allowance of Rs 3,000 is payable for attending Assembly sessions or committee meetings. This means the actual monthly amount can vary depending on the number of eligible sitting days.
The Rs 1.95 lakh figure should therefore not be described as Kishor’s fixed monthly salary. It includes additional allowance components reported for legislators and should be distinguished from the basic salary and regular fixed allowances.
Facilities Available To MLAs
Bihar legislators are also entitled to official facilities and allowances related to accommodation, travel, medical care and legislative work, subject to the applicable rules.
MLAs can receive government accommodation in Patna or allowances linked to accommodation arrangements. They are also eligible for travel facilities, including annual rail and air travel concessions, according to reports on the state’s existing legislative benefits.
Legislators are also provided support for office-related work, including personal assistant allowances and other permitted facilities.
Security arrangements are provided based on the applicable security assessment and government rules. Such arrangements are not necessarily an automatic personal entitlement of every MLA.
Powers And Legislative Role
As an MLA, Kishor can raise constituency and public issues in the Assembly and participate in debates and voting. Members can also ask questions of ministers and seek information about the functioning of government departments.
MLAs can introduce private members’ bills and participate in discussions on legislation and the state budget. They can also exercise their legislative powers through motions and other procedures permitted under Assembly rules.
The state budget and Money Bills are dealt with by the Legislative Assembly, while elected MLAs participate in voting on demands for grants and other financial business of the House.
Role In Constitutional Elections
Elected MLAs also have a role in certain constitutional elections.
Members of state legislative assemblies participate in the election of the President of India through the electoral college. They also elect representatives to the Rajya Sabha from their respective states in accordance with the constitutional and statutory framework.
The Assembly also elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members.
Travel And Other Benefits
Bihar MLAs are reported to receive annual travel concessions of up to Rs 4 lakh for rail and air journeys. They can also receive a daily allowance of Rs 3,000 for eligible Assembly or committee meetings.
Legislators can also access a vehicle loan facility of up to Rs 25 lakh under the applicable rules. Former legislators are entitled to pension benefits, with the current base pension reported at Rs 45,000 a month.
