The Telangana Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to effect hike in salaries of the legislators.

The Telangana Payment of Salaries and Pensions and Removal of Disqualifications(Amendment) Bill-2016 was passed, as per a recommendation of the Committee on Amenities of the Telangana Legislature which met on March 21.

It estimated that the hike would cause an expenditure of Rs 42.67 crore per annum.

Observing that the hike is necessary for people like him who came from humble background, Congress member Sampath Kumar said his party welcomed the bill.

BJP member Ch Ramachandra Reddy sought a hike in the vehicle loan.

On the occasion, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said the economic dynamics have undergone a sea change over the years.

He noted that the legislators have to attend a number of meetings of the government, zilla parishad and others, besides taking care of number of visitors everyday.

They also have to bear the costs involved in travelling within the constituency, to the district headquarters and also the state capital city, he said.

He also made an appeal to the media to understand the prevailing situation.

Legislature Affairs Minister T Harish Rao, who moved the bill, said the hike is being made as per requests made to the government in last one-and-half year by MLAs and MLCs.

The bill was being moved on the request of majority of the parties.

Telangana government on Monday introduced a Bill for hike in salaries and pensions of MLAs and MLCs in the state Assembly.

The legislators' gross salary would now go up to Rs 2.30 lakh per month from the present Rs 95,000 per month (including allowances), chief whip Koppula Eswar told PTI.

The members amenities committee (MAC) headed by the Speaker recently recommended a whopping pay hike to the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Council Chairman, MLAs and MLCs.