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Omar Abdullah tables major salary revision bills during J&K Assembly session. (img: Dynamite News)
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday introduced a set of bills in the Assembly that could significantly revise the salaries, allowances and pension benefits of ministers, MLAs and former legislators in the Union Territory.
The proposed salary revision has brought attention to the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, with the government seeking amendments to existing laws governing the financial benefits of elected representatives. The move comes after a legislative committee comprising members from both treasury and opposition benches examined the issue and reached consensus on the proposed changes.
Under the recommendations being considered, the gross salary of legislators could increase from the existing level of around Rs 1.8 lakh to nearly Rs 3 lakh, along with changes in allowances, telephone expenses and housing loan facilities.
Omar Abdullah, who also holds the portfolio of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, introduced amendments to three major legislations related to the financial provisions of elected representatives.
The first bill seeks changes in the Jammu and Kashmir Ministers’ and Ministers of State Salaries Act, 1956, which governs the pay structure and allowances of ministers in the Union Territory.
The Chief Minister also introduced amendments to the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960, aimed at revising the compensation structure for MLAs.
Another proposed amendment relates to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature Members’ Pension Act, 1984, which deals with pension benefits for former legislators.
The bills were published earlier in an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette before being placed before the Assembly.
The proposal for increasing salaries and allowances had been discussed in earlier Assembly sessions. Following those discussions, a House Committee consisting of legislators from both ruling and opposition sides was formed to examine the matter.
The committee reviewed the existing salary structure and submitted recommendations for revising the financial benefits of lawmakers.
According to the committee’s proposal, the gross salary package could rise from Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. The recommendations also include revisions in various facilities provided to legislators, including allowances, telephone expenses and housing loan-related benefits.
The committee’s reported agreement across party lines has added significance to the proposed amendments.
The introduction of the salary hike bills is expected to trigger discussions inside and outside the Assembly regarding the financial requirements of lawmakers and the priorities of the government.
Supporters of the proposal argue that elected representatives require updated facilities and compensation structures considering administrative responsibilities and rising costs.
However, such decisions often attract public attention as governments balance expenditure on public representatives with broader development priorities.
The final outcome will depend on the legislative process and approval of the proposed amendments in the Assembly.
Apart from salary-related amendments, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also introduced another important bill aimed at improving governance and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The proposed legislation seeks to replace permission-based controls with a rule-based governance framework. The objective is to create a more predictable environment for citizens, businesses and investors.
The government aims to promote ease of doing business and ease of living by simplifying procedures, encouraging investment and supporting employment generation in the Union Territory. The proposed reforms are part of efforts to create a more investor-friendly administrative system and support long-term economic growth.
The salary hike and governance reform bills will now undergo further discussion and legislative scrutiny in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. If approved, the amendments could revise the financial structure of ministers, sitting legislators and former MLAs in Jammu and Kashmir.
