Thiruvananthapuram: Consecutive governments in the state have spent Rs 8 crore over the last eight years on free travel coupons for former MLAs. The expenditure on this head more than tripled in 2017-18 to Rs 1.66 cr from Rs 46 lakh in 2010-11, RTI documents revealed. The total government expenses on account of major allowances for former legislators came to about Rs 100 cr in this period.
Medical allowance for the former legislators over the same period was Rs 11.21 cr. Rs 94 lakh was the expenditure in this regard in 2010-11. It rose to Rs 2.16 cr in 2017-18.
Large sums are spent on free travel coupons, revealed RTI documents: In 2010-11 it was Rs 46 lakh and in subsequent years it was: 2011-12 (Rs 31 lakh), 2012-13 (Rs 73 lakh), 2013-14 (Rs 65 lakh), 2014-15 (Rs 1.47 cr), 2015-16 (Rs 1.34 cr), 2016-17 (Rs 1.39 cr) and 2017 - 18 (Rs 1.66 cr).
Pensions alone for ex-MLAs came to Rs 79.21 cr in the last eight years. These three allowances over the period amounted to Rs 98.51 cr.
Every former MLA receives Rs 20,000 monthly pension if he/she completes five years. Lesser the term period, lesser the pension. Every year added to the five-year term adds another Rs 1,000 to it. The maximum pension is Rs 50,000 a month.
A former MLA can get up to Rs 75,000 towards travel expenses a year. They can travel free in state transport buses.
