The annual Local Area Development Fund for legislators has been increased by Rs 1 crore for the third financial year in a row. The hiked fund will be Rs 5 crore, announced the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in the Assembly on Wednesday, amid applause from both sides.

The monthly salary of the drivers and personal assistants of the legislators have been increased by Rs 5,000. The driver will get a revised pay of Rs 20,000 and the PA, Rs 30,000. He was replying to the debate on the budget. The members of the Legislative Assembly and Council get the fund for the development work. However, despite the hike in the last two years, they could spend the fund partially because of the pandemic.