Politician Perks

 

Politicians in India receive benefits that far exceed the salaries they earn during their tenure.

Benefits of Members of Parliament (MPs) in India

  • Basic Salary: ₹1,24,000 per month (revised in 2024, effective from April 2023). Increased every five years, on the basis of the cost inflation index.
  • Constituency Allowance: ₹70,000–₹87,000 per month for office maintenance and voter engagement.
  • Office Allowance: ₹60,000–₹75,000 per month for expenses like stationery, telecom, and staff.
  • Daily Allowance: ₹2,000–₹2,500 per day during sessions and committee meetings for lodging/food.
  • Housing: Rent-free accommodation in Delhi (bungalows/flats/hostels based on seniority) or ₹2,00,000 monthly allowance if opted out.
  • Travel Perks: 34 free domestic flights/year for self/family; unlimited first-class rail travel; mileage for road use.
  • Toll Exemptions - MPs do not have to pay tolls while traveling on official duty. Exemption Rule: Under the National Highways Act, 1956 (Section 30) and Toll Rules, 2008, MPs/MLAs/MLCs are exempt from toll fees on national highways/expressways for vehicles with official stickers (e.g., Parliament/Assembly-issued plates or "Member of Parliament" tags). Conditions: Applies to official travel (e.g., constituency visits, committee tours, sessions); personal vehicles may require proof (ID card). Up to 2 vehicles per MP qualify.
  • Utilities: 50,000 free electricity units and 4 lakh litres free water annually.
  • Communication: ₹1.5 lakh annual phone/internet allowance.
  • Medical Benefits: Free care under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for self and family.
  • Personal Staff: Up to 2 full-time assistants (e.g., Private Secretary/PA, research assistant) at ₹50,000–₹1 lakh/month each.
  • Office Support: Access to shared parliamentary staff (e.g., 10+ in Delhi office) plus constituency aides (up to 5 local helpers).
  • Parliament Library: Free lifetime membership to the Central Reference Library (Delhi) with 2.5+ million books, journals, and digital databases (e.g., JSTOR, LexisNexis). Borrowing: Unlimited books/journals; inter-library loans nationwide.
  • Research Support: Dedicated staff for queries; online portals for remote access.

Post-Retirement Benefits for MPs in India

  • Pension: ₹25,000 base + ₹2,000 per additional year of service (max ₹31,000/month) after one term; lifetime for self and spouse.
  • Medical Benefits: Lifetime CGHS coverage for self, spouse, and dependent family (free consultations, hospital stays, drugs).
  • Travel Perks: Lifetime first-class rail passes for self/spouse; 34 free domestic flights/year for self/family.
  • Security: Z+ or Z category (armed guards) for high-risk MPs, often extended post-retirement based on threat assessment.
  • Other: Access to official bungalows (if allocated) for life in some cases; constituency office allowance (₹45,000/month).

Benefits for MPs on Parliamentary Committees in India

MPs serving on Parliamentary committees (e.g., Public Accounts, Estimates, or Departmental Standing Committees) receive standard MP benefits, plus targeted perks to support committee duties like inquiries, reports, and site visits. These are funded by Parliament (~₹500 crore/year for all committees). No extra salary, but enhanced allowances for efficiency.

Specific Committee Benefits

  • Daily Allowance: ₹2,000–₹2,500 extra per day for meetings/sessions (beyond standard MP DA), covering lodging/food during extended sittings.
  • Travel Reimbursements: Full coverage for domestic/international study tours (e.g., economy flights, AC rail, mileage for cars); up to ₹5 lakh/year for official travel.
  • Research/Office Support: Dedicated committee secretariat staff (1–2 assistants per MP) for data, drafting, and analysis; access to specialized libraries/databases (e.g., PRS Legislative Research).
  • Accommodation: Priority for committee-related stays (e.g., guest houses in Delhi or abroad); daily TA/DA at ₹1,000–₹1,500.
  • Prestige Perks: Chairpersons get higher allowances (₹3,000/day) and protocol precedence; all members gain networking/influence opportunities.
  • These apply to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. Post-retirement, committee service may boost pension calculations if it extends terms.

Benefits of Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) in India

(Note: Vary by state; examples from key states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana.)

  • Basic Salary: ₹50,000–₹3,00,000 per month (e.g., Telangana/Maharashtra highest at ~₹2.5–3 lakh; Kerala low at ~₹2,000 basic but with allowances). 
  • Constituency/Office Allowance: ₹25,000–₹30,000 for expenses/staff (e.g., Delhi: ₹25,000; varies by state).
  • Travel/Conveyance Allowance: Free rail passes, diesel/fuel reimbursements (e.g., ₹8,000–₹24,000/month in some states), vehicle maintenance.
  • Telephone/Communication Allowance: ₹6,000–₹15,000/month (e.g., Delhi: ₹10,000–₹15,000).
  • Housing: Rent-free accommodation or House Rent Allowance (HRA); subsidized utilities in some states.
  • Medical Benefits: Free lifelong medical facilities for self/family; actual reimbursements in some states (e.g., Kerala: actuals).
  • Daily Allowance: For sessions/committees (varies, e.g., ₹1,500–₹1,800 in Delhi).
  • Personal Staff: 1–2 assistants (e.g., PA, clerk) at ₹30,000–₹80,000/month, funded via office allowance. Varies by State: E.g., Maharashtra/Delhi: 2 PAs; Kerala: 1 PA + shared staff.
  • Constituency Support: Up to 3–5 local staff (e.g., data entry, liaison) in assembly office.

Post-Retirement Benefits for MLAs in India

(Varies significantly by state; examples from major ones like Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala.)

  • Pension: Lifetime base (₹10,000–₹50,000/month) + additions for service/years (e.g., Maharashtra: ₹1,500 per year served; Kerala: actual reimbursements).
  • Medical Benefits: Free lifelong treatment/reimbursements for self/family (e.g., Delhi: full coverage; Kerala: actual bills paid).
  • Travel Perks: Free rail/bus passes for self/spouse; fuel/vehicle allowances (e.g., Maharashtra: ₹8,000/month post-retirement).
  • Security: State-provided guards for vulnerable MLAs, often extended based on risk (e.g., in conflict-prone areas).
  • Other: Housing allowance or official residence (state-specific); constituency office support (₹10,000–₹20,000/month in some states).

These perks aim to support public service but have faced scrutiny for costs—total MP/MLA benefits exceed ₹10,000 crore annually. State variations are governed by local legislatures under Article 186.

Benefits of Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) in India

MLC benefits are governed by state legislatures (Article 186) and mirror MLAs in most aspects, varying by state (e.g., UP, Bihar, Karnataka). No uniform national framework.

  • Basic Salary: ₹50,000–₹3,00,000 per month (e.g., Maharashtra/UP: ~₹2.5–3 lakh; Kerala: ~₹2,000 basic + allowances).
  • Constituency/Office Allowance: ₹25,000–₹30,000 for expenses/staff (e.g., Delhi: ₹25,000; UP: ₹20,000–₹25,000).
  • Travel/Conveyance Allowance: Free rail/bus passes, fuel reimbursements (₹8,000–₹24,000/month), vehicle maintenance.
  • Telephone/Communication Allowance: ₹6,000–₹15,000/month (e.g., Delhi: ₹10,000–₹15,000).
  • Housing: Rent-free accommodation or HRA; subsidized utilities.
  • Medical Benefits: Free lifelong treatment/reimbursements for self/family (e.g., UP: full coverage; varies by state).
  • Daily Allowance: For sessions/committees (₹1,500–₹1,800 in Delhi-like states).
  • Personal Staff: Similar to MLAs—1–2 assistants (e.g., PA) at ₹30,000–₹70,000/month. State-Specific: E.g., UP: 2 staff; Karnataka: 1 PA + 2 clerks.
  • Office Support: 2–4 aides for research/legislative work; constituency help if elected from local body.
  • State Legislative Library: Free access to state-specific libraries (e.g., Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan Library: 1+ lakh volumes on law/policy; UP Vidhan Sabha: digital archives). Borrowing/Perks: Unlimited loans; some states offer home delivery (e.g., Karnataka: 20 books/month). Varies by State: E.g., Delhi: Integrated with assembly library; Kerala: Focus on regional languages.
  • Research Services: Librarians assist with bills/reports; e-resources like Manupatra.

Post-Retirement Benefits for MLCs in India

Aligned with MLAs; state-specific.

  • Pension: Lifetime base (₹10,000–₹50,000/month) + additions for service (e.g., Maharashtra: ₹1,500/year served; UP: similar to MLAs).
  • Medical Benefits: Free lifelong care/reimbursements for self/family (e.g., Kerala: actual bills paid).
  • Travel Perks: Free rail/bus passes for self/spouse; fuel allowances (e.g., ₹8,000/month in Maharashtra).
  • Security: State guards for high-risk cases, extended post-retirement.
  • Other: Housing allowance/residence; constituency support (₹10,000–₹20,000/month in some states).

Additional Privileges for MPs, MLAs, and MLCs

  • Protocol Precedence: MPs rank high in the Table of Precedence (e.g., after Union Ministers); MLAs/MLCs have state-level VIP status for events, airports, and functions.
  • Free Postage/Stationery: MPs get ₹1.5 lakh/year for franking (free mailing); MLAs/MLCs have similar state-funded postage for official letters.
  • Subsidized Loans: Access to low-interest loans for housing/vehicles (e.g., MPs via Parliament schemes; MLAs via state banks).
  • Club Memberships: Free access to government clubs/gyms (e.g., Delhi Gymkhana for MPs; state equivalents for MLAs/MLCs).
  • International Travel: MPs get passports/diplomatic visas expedited; official tours abroad covered (e.g., committee visits).
  • Security Upgrades: Armed escorts/Z-category protection for high-threat MPs/MLAs/MLCs, extendable to family.
  • Preferential darshan privileges and recommendation powers - Beyond darshan at temples, they can endorse VIP quotas for government schemes, hospital beds, or passports for constituents.
  • No Bar on Legal Practice: MPs/MLAs/MLCs who are lawyers can continue practicing; no prohibition under Advocates Act, 1961.

    • Source - Sansad.in, PRSIndia.org, Wikipedia, Grok