Karnataka CM's pay to zoom 150%, ministers to get double

BANGALORE: Karnataka's netas are giving themselves a Ugadi bonanza. Before winding up the ongoing legislature session, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, his cabinet and the legislators can expect a hefty salary raise.

According to the proposal, the CM's monthly salary will rocket 150% from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000 and annual sumptuary allowance will double to Rs 1.5 lakh. The government is likely to move a bill on the pay hike in this session.

The bills - Karnataka Ministers' Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2011 and Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2011 - include hikes for ministers, chairman, opposition leaders, chief whip and legislators.

If these are approved, ministers' salaries may double from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 and sumptuary allowances from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh every year.