AIZAWL, Dec 24 (UNI) Mizoram Speaker Lalchamliana referred cases of 14 legislators, allegedly availing free travel allowance without undertaking tours, to the Ethics Committee of the legislature.

Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, Mr Lalchamliana said Sailothanga Sailo was replaced by H.Liansailova as chairman of the Ethics Committee as Mr Sailo's name was also mentioned in the scandal.

Society for Social Action(SOSA) leaders urged Mr Lalchamliana early this month to take action against some legislators who allegedly availed free travelling allowances without undertaking tours.

Fourteen Mizo legislators were alleged to have availed around Rs 1.5 lakh each per annum by claiming free travel allowances without travelling, which has rocked the administration.

Among the MLAs, Lalduhawma of Zoram National Party (ZNP) had earlier returned about Rs 4 lakh to the Assembly secretariat, saying the people were opposed to the elected representatives availing free TA without going on tour.

According to Mizoram members of Legislative Assembly, salaries, allowances and pensions Act, 1999, legislators could avail free travel up to 40,000 kilometres by first class air conditioned trains once in a year, taking five family members with them.

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