From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 27: While the oridinary citizens are groaning under price rise of essential commodities, the D V Sadananda Gowda-led BJP ministry in Karnataka has come out with legislative bill for increasing the monthly pensions of former members of the State Legislative Assembly and State Legislative Council from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000.

Under the Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2012, tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday the monthly pension of former legislators is sought to be increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 to a person who served as a member of either house of the legislature for a period of five years or one term.

The bill envisages increase in the monthly pension from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 to a person who served as a member of either house of the legislature for two and more than two terms.

The bill also provides payment of medical allowance of Rs 2,000 per month for former MLAs and MLCs and reimbursement of actual expenses by train in India subject to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh to ex-members, who are eligible for pension.

The proposed amendment would cost Rs 17.43 crore to the State exchequer in a year.

It may be recalled that the State Government had recently hiked the salaries, allowances and pensions payable to the six government employees, which will come into effect from April.