Chennai, March 24 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami on Tuesday announced an increase in medical allowance, pension and family pension for law makers involving an annual additional bill of about Rs 8.51 crore.

Announcing this in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the monthly pension for former members of Assembly and Legislative Council will be increased by Rs 5,000 per month to Rs 25,000 per month from April 1 onwards involving an additional outlay of Rs 5,47,20,000 per year.

He said the pension for the families of former members of Assembly and the Legislative Council will be increased by Rs 2,500 per month to Rs 12,500 per month. The additional outgo under this head will be Rs 1,21,80,000 per year.

Palaniswami also increased the annual medical allowance for legislators by Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 involving an additional expenditure of Rs 1,82,40,000 per year.

Besides, the Chief Minister also announced that law makers, former members of Assembly and Legislative Council can travel free of cost in state government owned air conditioned buses with sleeper facilities. Their spouse or assistants are allowed to travel free in air conditioned buses without sleeper facility.