PORVORIM: The impact of rising inflation seems to be catching up with Goa’s legislators, prompting them to demand a pay hike to cope with increasing expenses. During the general discussion on the Budget, BJP MLA Digambar Kamat raised the issue on behalf of his colleagues, transcending party lines.
The current remuneration for MLAs stands at approximately Rs one lakh per month. In 2018, the government proposed a 70 percent hike, but the move faced criticism and was not implemented.
Speaking for his fellow MLAs, Kamat emphasized the need for a revision in their payment and benefits, as it has not been updated for nearly ten years. He suggested that the number of staff allotted to MLAs should be increased from five to seven. Additionally, he pointed out that the car loan eligibility of Rs 15 lakh, which used to cover an Innova, now falls short as the vehicle’s cost has risen to around Rs 35 lakh. He also called for an increase in the monthly fuel allowance from the current 300 litres.
While highlighting concerns, Kamat hailed the government’s Budget proposal to introduce the MLA-LAD scheme, granting each MLA Rs 2.5 crore annually for local area development works.
