Extend Rs 10L discretionary grant to people: Sanbor to MLAs

SHILLONG, July 16: BJP’s South Shillong MLA, Sanbor Shullai on Tuesday said the state’s all 60 legislators should extend the annual discretionary grant of Rs 10 lakh to the people of their respective constituencies and not keep the fund in their pockets.
He made the statement after offering Rs 1 lakh to support 76-year-old marathoner Kmoin Wahlang who will represent India at the 13th Pan Pacific Masters Games 2024 in the Gold Coast, Australia in November.
Shullai said the guidelines are very clear that the discretionary grant is for extending financial help to the people of the constituencies and it should not be kept in the pocket of the MLAs.
Initially, in 2008, the discretionary grant for each MLA was Rs 3 lakh annually. Later, it was increased to Rs 5 lakh and then, to Rs 10 lakh for each MLA every year.
Stating that the grant can be used by the MLAs even for any other purposes outside their respective constituencies, he said a discussion was held earlier to raise the discretionary grant to Rs 20 lakh.
Shullai said the file has reached Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s table. He was hopeful that the chief minister, who also looks after the Finance department, would clear the file within this month.
The South Shillong MLA has also given Rs 30,000 to Benningstar Lyngkhoi, an athletics coach, as a mark of gratitude for his efforts in bringing many laurels to the state.