Politicians are planning to boycott the Parliament meeting which gets underway in Honiara later this week.
Well-placed government sources said last night the “revolt” is over demands that half the grants for this year be paid to Members of Parliament between now and 24 April, the day Parliament is expected to be dissolved in preparation for the national general election later this year.
The sources said as many as 18 Government backbench Members are involved, along with some MPs in the Opposition.
“We are demanding the Government pay us half the grants for this year,” one source said.
Members of Parliament receive on behalf of their Constituencies about $2, 085, 000 each year. These payments are made up of:
The Rural Livelihood - $1 million per constituency a year
Millennium Fund - $400, 000 per constituency per year
Special Micro Project - $200, 000 per constituency per year
Rural Constituency Development Fund [RCDF] - $400, 000 per constituency per year
Special Micro Project [Parliament] - $ 85, 000 per constituency per year
According to one source, MPs want the government to pay half this amount to them during the current sitting of Parliament which starts on Thursday.
If the government were to bow to the demand, it would mean each MP would receive a little over $900, 000 for his Constituency.
This is minus a $100, 000 advanced to MPs earlier this year to help them with payment of school fees for their Constituencies.
The matter is expected to be discussed in Government Caucus this week.
A letter outlining the proposed action will then be written to Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, requesting the Government to release the payments or face the consequences.
Parliament will meet for the last time starting on Thursday.
The meeting will end on 24 April, the day Parliament will be dissolved in preparation for the national general election, which by convention must be held within 90 days.
Although a specific date has not been confirmed, pundits say 24 June is likely to be the day.
This is because the current administration is of the view the installation of a new government coincide with the nation’s Independence anniversary on July 7 this year.
By ALFRED SASAKO
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