Parliament: Do MPs’ Personal Assistants Receive Salary?
New Parliament chamber ( Image credit Tata Group)
Do MPs Personal Assistants Get Paid? Understanding the Salary Structure and Funding
By Amit Kumar
New Delhi, March 25: In the Indian parliamentary system, the role of Personal Assistants (PAs) to Members of Parliament (MPs) is crucial in helping them manage both their parliamentary and constituency duties. But an important question arises: who pays these assistants?
Government-Funded Salaries for MPs’ PAs
The short answer is yes, MPs’ Personal Assistants receive a salary. However, it is important to clarify that MPs do not pay their assistants from their personal salaries. Instead, the government funds their salaries through an office expense allowance allocated to MPs.
Under the Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, MPs are entitled to hire personal staff, including PAs, with financial support provided by the government. This funding is not drawn from the MPs’ earnings but from the office allowance they receive.
The Office Expense Allowance: A Breakdown
As of April 1, 2023, MPs received ₹75,000 per month for office expenses, which included ₹45,000 for general office-related costs such as stationery and postage, and ₹30,000 specifically designated for hiring staff like PAs.
This allowance enables MPs to hire one or more staff members, and their salaries are paid directly through the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha secretariats, depending on whether the MP is in the Lower or Upper House.
The salary for a PA typically ranges between ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month, depending on experience and the specific designation of the assistant. While this sum is intended to cover the costs of one or more staff members, MPs have the flexibility to allocate the ₹30,000 allowance as they see fit, such as hiring one PA at ₹25,000 or two at ₹15,000 each.
Terms of Employment
PAs and other parliamentary staff are contracted employees, meaning they serve for the duration of the MP’s tenure—usually five years—unless the MP ceases to hold office. These positions are not permanent government jobs, and the MPs must submit staff details for approval and processing through the parliamentary secretariat.
Key Points to Remember
- No Direct Funding from MPs: MPs do not pay their PAs directly out of their personal salary (₹1,24,000 per month as of 2025). The government funds this through the office expense allowance.
- Flexibility in Hiring: MPs have the discretion to hire staff and allocate their allowance as they see fit, within the sanctioned ₹30,000.
- Contractual Employment: PAs are not permanent government employees and serve only for the term of the MP.
A Glimpse into Other States: Jharkhand vs Maharashtra
For a broader perspective, let’s look at the allowances for Personal Assistants in other Indian states. For instance, in Jharkhand, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are entitled to a Personal Assistance Allowance of ₹50,000 per month (as of 2023), which is significantly higher than the ₹30,000 offered to MPs.
In Maharashtra, MLAs also receive a government-funded allowance for hiring staff, including PAs. As of 2022, this allowance was raised to ₹30,000 per month, a sum paid out of the MLA’s office or constituency-related funds. In comparison to states like Jharkhand, this is a moderate allowance, with Maharashtra’s MLAs earning a total compensation of about ₹2.5 lakh per month.
Conclusion
To sum up, Personal Assistants to Indian MPs do indeed receive a salary, but the cost is covered by the government via the office expense allowance of ₹30,000 per month. This arrangement ensures that MPs are supported with necessary administrative assistance without impacting their personal income. The same model applies in several states, though the exact allowances vary depending on local legislative provisions.
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