PANAJI
There is good news for legislators in the State.
Sources have revealed that the salaries of MLAs and pensions of ex-MLAs could increase during the upcoming Budget session.
A source informed, “It is possible that an amendment to The Goa Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of the Legislative Assembly Act will be presented during the upcoming Budget session. If this amendment is passed, then salaries of MLAs and pensions of ex-MLAs could be increased.”
As per the Act, current MLAs get a salary and several other allowances. Moreover, anyone who has been a member of the House (which means ex-MLAs) is entitled to a pension from the State government.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, last year, had mooted for a hike in allowances of MLAs because better salaries could be a deterrent to corruption.
“I am going to increase the allowances of MLAs. I am the only person who has bluntly and straightaway said MLAs, if they do not get proper funds, will have reason to start corruption”, he had said.
