Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced to increase the legislators' local area development fund from the existing Rs 2 crore per annum to Rs 3 crore.

He announced it in the post-lunch proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. The revised norms would come into effect from the current fiscal (2018-19).

The Telegraph had reported about the likely increase in the local area development fund on July 25. The report had also mentioned that the announcement was likely to be made in the current session of the state legislature. Legislators had been hinted about the announcement during a meeting of NDA legislature party held at the chief minister's residence on July 23.

He made the announcement on the concluding day of the monsoon session of the legislature on Thursday. Nitish said now legislators would be able to recommend work up to Rs 3 crore in urban and rural areas.

The last revision in the legislator local area development fund was done in 2013-14 when it had been increased to Rs 2 crore from then limit of Rs 1 crore per annum.