Ever Wondered How Much MLAs In South India Earn?

MLAs in Telangana are a grumpy lot, now. They want a hike in salaries, in fact they are all set to get a hike, but the government is holding back the announcement, just so that they are not accused of amassing wealth at a time when farmers suicides are increasing in state.

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, MLAs earn Rs 1,20,000 each month, this including constituency allowances, an allowance to travel within the constituency. Telangana now wants to increase the total salary to Rs 2,00,000.


Their counterparts in Karnataka got a 73% hike in salary in 2011 and earn Rs 90,000 and are looking forward to one more hike in 2015.

Compared to these three states, MLAs in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are a poorer lot. While legislators in Tamil Nadu earn Rs 55,000, the total payment received by an MLA in Kerala is just Rs 39,500. 

The basic salary for Telangana and AP legislators is just Rs 12,500 out of a Rs 1,20,000 package. In Kerala the basic salary is Rs 1,000.

Constituency allowance is where the bulk of money is being given in all states, this amount is exempted from tax.

Annually Andhra Pradesh spends Rs 25.20 crore, Karnataka spends Rs 24.3 crore on its MLAs, Kerala spends Rs 6.68 crore, Tamil Nadu spends Rs 15.51 crore and Telangana Rs 17.13 crore on its MLAs alone. This excludes the additional perks meant for the Speakers and other functionaries of the state legislatures.