Agartala, April 7 (TIWN / IANS) The Tripura assembly on Thursday passed a bill hiking the salaries and allowances of the chief minister, ministers, speaker, deputy speaker and legislators by 15 percent.

"In view of the price hike of essential commodities and paid services, the salaries, allowances, pension and other benefits of the chief minister, ministers, speaker, deputy speaker and MLAs are required to be proportionately enhanced," Parliamentary Affairs and Finance Minister Tapan Chakraborty told the house.

"Due to financial constraints, the bill limits the proposal to a modest rise of 15 percent over the existing rate of their salaries, allowances, pension and other benefits except travelling and dearness allowance."

With this increase, the salary of the chief minister has risen to Rs.26,315 per month while salaries of ministers, speaker, opposition leader and chief whip have increased to Rs.25,890 per month.

The salary of a legislator has gone up to Rs.24,210 per month.

The minister said that accordingly, sumptuary allowance, telephone bills and several other allowances would increase proportionately.

The salaries, allowances, pension and other benefits wer increased last year also.