Lucknow, Feb 8 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday announced a substantial hike of over 66 percent in the salary and allowances of the state's legislators, who will now receive around Rs.50,000 from the current monthly sum of Rs.30,000.

While the basic pay forms only a small part of the pay packet, the larger part of the emoluments include various allowances.

According to the announcement by the chief minister in the state assembly, the monthly basic pay would be raised from Rs.3,000 to Rs.8,000, the constituency allowance from Rs.15,000 to Rs.22,000 and the allowances for medical expenses and a secretary from Rs.6,000 to Rs.10,000 each.

Mayawati also declared a hike in the monthly salary of cabinet ministers from Rs.5,000 to Rs.12,000 while of the junior ministers from Rs.4,000 to Rs.10,000 per month. The assembly speaker, chairman of the legislative council and the leader of opposition would now get Rs.12,000 - up from the current Rs.5,000.

All these will get the same allowances and perks as those of legislators, as well as a special unlimited pocket allowance and travelling allowance.

The pension of legislators has also been raised from Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 per month and the yearly increment at Rs.700 to Rs.750 per month. The spouse of legislators would continue to receive a pension after the death of the member, but this would be half of what they got.