Kathmandu, May 31:

The parliament resumed today after a two-month-long disruption. The disruption caused a cumulative financial loss of Rs 29.37 million, the sum total of salary and allowances that should be paid to 329 lawmakers, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

Each legislator draws about Rs 44,288 as salary and perks every month. On top of that, s/he draws Rs 150 as transport fare after attending a parliamentary meeting.

A legislator’s monthly pay comprises Rs 18,240 as basic salary. His personal assistant draws Rs 9,000 as monthly salary. The legislator also gets Rs 1,248 for the payment of electricity and water tariffs, Rs 6,500 as housing allowance, Rs 2,000 for payment of telephone bill and Rs 1,300 for miscellaneous expenses. Each legislator draws Rs 200 as per diem.

The Speaker of the House draws about Rs 60,600 as salary and allowances per month if he does not use the government-provided quarter.

He is also paid for the payment of telephone bill and is provided with transport facility. The government also provides salary to the Speaker’s personal assistant. The Speaker’s staffers comprise one undersecretary, a section officer, a computer operator, two drivers and two peons.

The Deputy Speaker draws Rs 54,600 as salary and perks each month and is provided with transport facilities. The Deputy Speaker can also keep a personal assistant. Her staffers comprise one undersecretary, a senior non-gazetted officer, two drivers and a peon.

Chairpersons of parliamentary committees and whip of the ruling parties enjoy similar facilities.

The government disburses to each of them around Rs 46,468 every month. They draw Rs 18,720 as basic salary. The rest of the money is meant for paying salary to the personal assistant, clearing electricity, water and telephone bills, purchase of newspapers and other miscellaneous expenses. They also get fuel for their vehicles.

Their staffers comprise two drivers and a peon.

Each of the Chief Whips of the ruling parties draws about Rs 49,198 per month in salary and perks. Each of them gets Rs 20,400 as basic salary; Rs 9,000 for paying the personal assistant; Rs 8,250 as housing allowance; Rs 1,248 for payment of electricity and water tariff; Rs 2,000 for payment of telephone bill; Rs 300 for newspapers and Rs 2,000 under miscellaneous expenses.

A chief whip gets 230 litres of petrol every month and five litres of mobil every three months. His staff comprises one undersecretary, a senior non-gazetted officer, two drivers and a peon. Lawmakers say they have not drawn per diem as it is being collected for the victims of the second Jana Andolan.