More pension for MLAs
12 March 1997 12:14 IST While Goa is still awaiting new tax structure in the annual budget to be presented on March 25, the local Congress government has decided to restructure the pension scheme for the MLAs, with an additional financial burden on the public exchequer.
Discontinuing the old system of bringing only those MLAs who have completed a full term of five years under the pension cover, the cabinet on Wednesday finalised to move yet another amendment to the Goa Salary, Allowances and Pension Act 1965.
The 15th amendment moved in last 32 years would also give pension to those MLAs who were sitting in the House only for two years. All these MLAs would be paid Rs 500 per month.
Similarly, the MLAs serving the House between two to five years would be paid Rs 750 per month while those who have served for more than five years would be paid Rs 1500 per month, with an annual increment of Rs 100, with retrospective effect since 1988.
The act was amended last in July 1995, when the House has introduced constituency allowances of Rs 1500 per month to every member, including the ministers, while other allowances were also hiked drastically.
This had increased their salaries from Rs 1800 to Rs 4000 in terms of MLAs and Rs 6000 to Rs 7500 for the ministers, keeping aside all other monetary benefits they get during the session, travelling, medical allowances etc.
Ironically, all the 40 MLAs still pay only Rs one per day for the government accommodation during Assembly session or sittings of House committees while the balance amount is being paid from the government treasury.
