With the state continuing to be in turmoil and unrest, a large number of womenfolk from the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM), headed by president of ‘Imagi Meira’ Thokchom Sujata, rushed to the Manipur Legislative Assembly located at Cheingmeirong on Tuesday seeking comprehensive disclosure of benefits and entitlements of sitting and former MLAs.
The protestors entered the assembly complex and demanded to meet the Speaker of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly, Th Satyabarta Singh, however, failed to meet their expectation and later the group went to the BJP state office in Imphal located at Nityaipat Chuthek to meet the party president A. Sharda Devi this afternoon.
According to PPAM, the letter seeking the information was submitted on May 6, 2025, to the Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Imphal, Manipur; however, they failed to receive any information or reply on the information they sought. The letter also said the information is vital for enhancing public understanding of the legislative framework and the allocation of state resources.
For sitting MLAs, the information they sought includes: monthly salary and all associated allowances (e.g., constituency, contingency, entertainment, telephone, secretarial, compensatory); details of travel allowances, including entitlements for official duties within and outside the state; information on housing, furnishing, and utility; personnel, designations, and salary structures; information on vehicle and housing loans, allowances; provisions for medical treatment and associated travel for MLAs and their families; details of staff appointments, including the number, maximum limits, and repayment terms; annual allocations under the MLA Local Area Development Fund.
For former MLAs, the information sought includes: monthly pension amounts and the criteria for determining pension increments; eligibility and details of family pensions; post-tenure benefits, including medical facilities, travel allowances, and any other entitlements; policies regarding the waiver of outstanding loans in the event of an ex-MLA’s demise.
