This
site is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator versions
4 and above and a screen resolution of at least 800x600
|
|
|
MPs to pay half for cars
By
Denis Mzembe - 13-08-2002 |
|
|
Government will start paying half of the motor vehicle loans given to members of Parliament, a move taken after recently increasing the legislators’ perks to a little over K100,000 from around K50,000 a month, The Nation has learnt.
A letter dated July 18 written by chair of the public appointments and declaration of assets committee Henry Mussa to the Speaker of Parliament says following the adoption of a report of the public appointments committee by the National Assembly on July 3 this year, MPs are anxiously awaiting its implementation.
“The report among other issues includes conditions of service for MPs. Of particular interest is item 4.2.2 on page 33 which relates to 50% government contribution towards the initial motor vehicle loan of a member,” reads the letter.
Mussa says in the letter that his committee’s and MP’s understanding is that implementation of the provision be with immediate effect “i.e. once a member’s deductions towards the initial loan of K1,200,000 reach below 50% subsequent deductions towards the loan should cease. In this respect, the rest of 50% or less is government contribution”.
Most of the members were supposed to have been exempted from further deductions by July 31 after reaching their 50 per cent contribution mark towards existing loans.
In an interview yesterday, Mussa said implementation of the provision, which was adopted by Parliament, awaits cabinet decision.
He justified the move, saying the duty free vehicles loaned to MPs, predominantly discharge government duty in the constituencies.
“These cars are like ambulances. They ferry patients to hospitals and they are also used during weddings in the constituencies. That’s why government has to contribute a little something towards the initial loan,” he said.
He said the practice of government contributing towards the purchase of motor vehicles by MPs is not restricted to Malawi alone but happens in most countries within the region.
The MPs currently receive K44,000 in motor vehicle maintenance and recovery allowances apart from receiving a basic pay of K12,000, constituency allowance of K30,000, office allowance including water, electricity and telephone allowances of K13,850 and a K1,500 education allowance every month.
In 1995 government loaned ruling United Democratic Front and opposition Alliance for Democracy MPs K50,000 loans which have never been paid back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
