MPs failing to use area development funds

NEW DELHI: During the 15th Lok Sabha, MPs could not utilize about one-fourth of their funds under MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), according to the government's own admission.

Two dozen MPs could not even spend 50% of the allocation, including three from Delhi, indicating how people's representatives have fared poorly. Some with dismal records like BJP's Kirti Azad, Shatrughan Sinha and Union tourism minister (MoS) Shripad Naik got re-elected.

While West Bengal had a better record with six of its MPs in the last Lok Sabha spending more than the entitlement of 19 crore per constituency during this period, Delhi MPs had the worst record with Sandeep Diskshit and Ramesh Kumar managing to spend less than 5 crore and former women and child development minister Krishna Tirath spending only 8.16 crore.

MPs from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh had better records in comparison to other states. Former minister Dayanidhi Maran ranked last among the worst performers, utilizing just 20% of the entitlement.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha last week, minister of state for statistics and programme implementation Rao Inderjit Singh said that under MPLADS, lawmakers recommend development works for creation of durable community assets on the basis of locally felt need.

The guidelines prescribe that all recommended works should be sanctioned by the district authorities within 75 days from the receipt of the recommendation, and the MPs should be informed regarding rejections if any within 45 days with reasons thereof. The time-limit for completion of the works should generally not exceed one year.

Sources said first-time BJP MPs have been asked to utilize the fund in development works and there will be strict monitoring of this during the current term of the House.