Bihar MLAs and MLCs to get Rs 8,300 monthly telephone allowance

Bihar’s legislators, including both MLAs and MLCs, will now receive a monthly telephone allowance of Rs 8,300, as part of an expansion in the facilities provided to them. Under the new rules, legislators will no longer need to submit vouchers or bills for reimbursement, simplifying the process considerably.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, while presenting the Bihar Legislature Members' Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Rules, 2025 in the House on Thursday, formally introduced the revised system.

He said, “Under this rule, legislators may use any number of phone connections, whether one or ten, with all expenses covered under the fixed monthly amount," according to an IANS report.

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Also Read: Bihar Portfolio Allocation: Nitish Kumar allocates portfolios; BJP gets Home Department for first time since 2005

Part of govt’s modernise push

The allowance hike is being seen as part of the state government’s broader efforts to modernise legislative functioning and ensure smoother communication for lawmakers.

In another development, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has approved 11 important bills passed by the Legislature. The timing is notable, coming soon after the announcement of higher telephone allowances, which has stirred political debate. The approved bills include the Bihar Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2025, which outlines the state’s financial plans, and the Bihar GST (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to simplify business and tax rules.

Also Read: Bihar govt tables Rs 91,000-crore supplementary Budget; Narendra Narayan Yadav elected Dy Speaker

Key bills on land and administration receive Governor’s nod

Several other important bills related to land and administrative reforms have also been cleared, including the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts (Amendment) Bill, Bihar Special Survey and Settlement (Amendment) Bill, Bihar Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) (Amendment) Bill, and Bihar Underground Pipelines (Amendment) Bill.

The developments came on the fourth day of the first session of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly, which began at 11 am with the election of the Deputy Speaker. Narendra Narayan Yadav was elected for the second time, unopposed, in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary proposed Yadav’s nomination, which was supported by Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Only a single nomination had been filed for the post, ensuring a smooth and uncontested election.