South Shillong MLA Advocates for Full Use of Discretionary Grants for Community Aid

South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai has urged his fellow Meghalaya legislators to fully utilize their annual discretionary grants to benefit their constituents. Shullai, a BJP representative, emphasized that the Rs 10 lakh allocated to each of the state’s 60 MLAs should be actively directed towards community aid rather than being left unspent.

Highlighting the grant’s intended purpose, Shullai noted that the funds are specifically meant to provide financial assistance to people within their constituencies. He traced the grant’s history, which has grown from Rs 3 lakh in 2008 to the current Rs 10 lakh per year for each legislator.

Shullai proposed that the grant be potentially doubled to Rs 20 lakh, mentioning that a proposal is awaiting approval from Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. He expressed optimism that the increase would be sanctioned within the month.

The MLA underscored the grant’s importance in enabling legislators to provide timely financial aid to those in need. He explained that to access the funds, MLAs must submit utilization certificates with supporting bills and clarified that the grant could be used beyond their constituencies if necessary.

Additionally, Shullai mentioned that any MLA who does not wish to use the grant can inform the Legislative Assembly in writing.