PANJIM: The political class often face public wrath whenever they seek hike in salary and allowances but this time the salary of Goa MLAs has been delayed reportedly due to paucity of funds the State government is facing even as the Legislature Department said that it was due to some additional calculations to be made being the last month of the current financial year.
Few MLAs spoke to O Heraldo stating that the salary of the February month has not been credited and when they enquired, they were told that there were no funds in the State coffers. “Normally we receive our salary on time i.e. by month end with the deductions if any and it is only this time that the salary is delayed,” said one of the legislators on the condition of anonymity.
Another MLA said that every department is crippling with funds. There are no funds for undertaking works in various government departments, he complained.
When contacted, Joint Secretary (Legislature) Hercules Noronha said, “On Monday only we have cleared the ECS (Electronic Clearing Service). Since we are in the last month of the financial year, there were some additional calculations which led to delay in salary.”
Barring one MLA, remaining 39 MLAs are crorepatis in the State.
