SHILLONG, JULY 16: BJP legislator from South Shillong Sanbor Shullai on Tuesday urged the state government to increase the discretionary grant to Rs 20 lakh.
Speaking to reporters, Shullai said, “During my first term as MLA in 2008, the fund was only Rs 3 lakhs later it was enhanced to Rs 5 lakhs and now it is has increased to Rs 10 lakh annually. Recently during meeting with Speaker in the presence of CM, deputy CM I have suggested to increase up to Rs 20 lakh from 2025.”
He said this fund is meant for MLAs to provide immediate financial assistance to people, who need help, in their respective constituencies.
“All MLAs need to submit UC certificates, with bills etc in order to get the funds,” Shullai said He said “It is the prerogative of each MLA to utilize the funds for the people of their respective constituencies or beyond their constituencies”.
According to him, MLAs cannot say that they cannot provide financial assistance to the people.
“The sole objective of discretionary grant provided to all 60 MLAs is to provide immediate financial support to the people.
If the MLAs does want to utilize the fund, they can write to the legislative Assembly, mentioning that he/she does not require the fund,” he added.