Previous government spent Rs 4.62 crore monthly on personal staff

KOCHI: During the previous government’s term, a total of Rs 4.62 crore was spent every month on the personal staff of the Chief Minister, Opposition Leader, ministers and the Chief Whip.

There were 524 staff members in total. Salaries ranged from Rs 6,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh per month. The lowest salary, Rs 6,033, was paid to a cook in the Industries Minister’s office. Eleven staff members received salaries above Rs 2 lakh. Pension amounts ranged from Rs 3,350 to Rs 83,400.

Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had the largest personal staff team with 27 members. Salaries in his office ranged from Rs 31,000 for an office attendant to Rs 2.21 lakh for a Senior Legal Counsel. The then Opposition Leader V D Satheesan had 25 staff members. Salaries in his office ranged from Rs 28,000 for an office attendant to Rs 1.77 lakh for an Assistant Private Secretary. The details were revealed in a reply received by RTI activist Mohammed Ashraf.

Ministers handling Electricity, SC/ST Welfare and Fisheries departments had 25 staff members each. The Local Self-Government and Transport Ministers had 24 staff members each.

The Cooperation, Revenue, Agriculture, Education, Labour, Health, Higher Education and Food & Civil Supplies Ministers had 23 staff members each. The Water Resources Minister and Chief Whip had 21 staff members each, while the Public Works, Registration and Archaeology Ministers had 19 staff members each.

Monthly salary expenses

• Chief Minister’s Office: Rs 27.24 lakh
• Opposition Leader’s Office: Rs 25.60 lakh
• Chief Whip’s Office: Rs 20.44 lakh
• Staff of 20 Ministers: Rs 3.89 crore