Sat Mar 22 01:21:40 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka MLAs Get Massive Pay Raise Amidst Funding Concerns and Controversy

**Bengaluru, [Date]** – The Karnataka Assembly passed a bill Friday granting significant salary increases and allowance hikes to its MLAs, ministers, and staff, sparking widespread criticism. The “Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” comes despite the state government citing a shortage of funds.

The bill, approved by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday and rushed through the Assembly on the final day of the budget session, includes a 100% salary increase for MLAs, raising their monthly pay from ₹40,000 to ₹80,000. Ministers will see a 108% increase, from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh, while the Chief Minister’s salary jumps from ₹75,000 to ₹1.50 lakh (a 100% increase). Rental allowances for ministers have doubled to ₹2.50 lakh. The Speaker and Chairman of the Legislative Council will also receive significant pay raises. Pension benefits for legislators are also increased, from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. Annual travel allowances have been raised to ₹3.50 lakh.

The passage of the bill, which is estimated to cost the state an additional ₹62 crore annually, occurred amidst controversy surrounding a recent “honey trap” scandal. The government’s justification for the increases, despite previous revisions in 2022 and a stated policy of five-year review cycles, has been met with strong public backlash. The decision follows a request from legislators within the Business Advisory Committee.

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