Uttar Pradesh Enhances Communication Allowance for State Legislators

The Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members' Emoluments and Pension) (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Rules, 2025, were issued by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh on August 13, 2025. These rules, a form of delegated legislation, were made in exercise of powers conferred by Section 30 of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members' Emoluments and Pension) Act, 1980, read with Section 21 of the Uttar Pradesh General Clauses Act, 1904. The primary reason for their issuance was to amend the existing Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members' Emoluments and Pension) Rules, 1981, specifically concerning the communication facilities provided to members. The key provision introduced by these amendment rules is the revision of the monthly limit for telephone and mobile bill payments for members of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature. Under the new rules, the State Government will now cover a higher amount for these expenses. The rules are deemed to have come into force retrospectively on the 1st day of April, 2025, affecting all members of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature from that date.

The legislative intent behind these amendment rules was to update and enhance the financial provisions for communication facilities available to the members of the State Legislature. The earlier legal position, as stipulated in clause (e) of rule 40 of the 1981 Rules, allowed for the State Government to make payments for telephone and mobile bills not exceeding six thousand rupees per month. The amendment addresses the perceived need to increase this limit, likely reflecting changes in communication costs or an effort to better support legislators in their duties, which often involve extensive communication with constituents and government officials. The legislation provided: “the State Government shall make payment of the amount of telephones and mobile bills not exceeding nine thousand rupees per month and the amount exceeding nine thousand rupees shall be deducted from the salary/other dues of the member concerned”. This change directly amends the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature (Members' Emoluments and Pension) Rules, 1981, by substituting the previous clause (e) of rule 40. The new provision ensures that members are entitled to telephones installed at their constituencies and Lucknow residences, as well as a mobile phone, all with Subscribers Trunk Dialing (S.T.D.) (a facility for making long-distance calls without operator assistance), internet, and 3G services. Any amount exceeding the new nine thousand rupees limit will be deducted from the concerned member's salary or other dues. A proviso remains in place, entitling the Leader of a Legislature Party of a recognized National or Provincial Party, having at least 3 percent of the total members of the Legislature, to free local telephone calls at their Lucknow residence. An explanation clarifies that a member may utilize either all the facilities of two telephones and one mobile phone or any combination thereof, within the specified monetary limit.

Keywords: Uttar Pradesh, Legislature, Members, Emoluments, Pension, Rules, Amendment, Communication Allowance, Mobile Bills, Telephone Bills

Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh District: Not Applicable