Gangtok, Feb. 26 (PTI): The Sikkim government today tabled an amendment bill in the Assembly proposing an increase in the pay and perks of the chief minister, his cabinet colleagues, Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

The Sikkim Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Members of Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances) Amendment Bill, 2010, tabled by parliamentary affairs minister D.N. Takarpa, proposed to increase the salary of the chief minister to Rs 50,000 and an additional sumptuary allowance of Rs 30,000.

The Speaker’s salary has been raised to Rs 45,000 in addition to sumptuary allowance of Rs 25,000, while the ministers and the Deputy Speaker will get Rs 40,000 each and sumptuary allowance of Rs 20,000 each.

The revision of the salaries and allowances has been made after nine years keeping in view the rise in the consumer price index and high inflation, Takarpa said.

The pay hike will cost Rs 1.23 crore per year from the Consolidated Fund of Sikkim.

The bill will be discussed in the Assembly tomorrow.

The government has also proposed to increase the pension of ex-legislators from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per month and Rs 8,000 to any member having served in the House for more than five years. While tabling a separate bill, Takarpa said the government felt that the existing pension was inadequate. The pension of former MLAs was increased last time in 2004.