While agreeing with the idea in principle, opposition MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh today said that legislators are already contributing financially towards relief for their constituents, so it would be unfair to cut their salaries by 25 percent, as has been suggested.
“I appreciate that the public feels that it is time those in the government dedicate 25 percent of their salaries in these trying times but we need to look at every detail because MLAs are already assisting and spending on the public to a very large extent,” Lyngdoh told Highland Post.
However, she agreed that others in government service, who perhaps earn more than Rs 1 lakh a month, should assist the weakest members of society during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accounting for how the deduction is spent is another area of concern for the East Shillong representative.
“If somebody wants 25 percent of my salary, where is that money going to go and how will it be used? Who will audit it? As an MLA I am already doing a lot and what guarantees are there that the money I sacrifice will be utilised better than what I am doing for the public now?” she asked.
Some of the help she has been providing includes procuring coffins for the deceased, rations for quarantined families and contributing towards coronavirus-related expenses.
Lyngdoh also wanted to know from the state government whether it is true that Meghalaya has received around Rs 1,000 crore from the Centre to go towards purchasing Covid vaccines and other expenses.
“Before you reach into the coffers of the public servants, it is important to audit the utilization of funds received from the government of India,” she stated.
