NEW DELHI, Apr 30: A demand was made in Lok Sabha today for raising the MPLAD amount from Rs five crore a year, with some members saying that enhanced allocation may see even opposition MPs fulfilling pet schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi like Swachh Bharat and Saansad Gram Yojana.
Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who was in the Chair, also pitched for raising the allocation after the issue was raised by K V Thomas of Congress while initiating debate on Finance Bill. He wanted the amount to be raised to Rs 25 crore.
He referred to Swachh Bharat campaign launched by the Prime Minister, saying “we are all for that. But where is the money?”
In this context, he said the MPLAD (MPs Local Area Development) fund of Rs five crore per year is insufficient and needs to be enhanced. He said that in his home state Kerala, each MLA gets Rs six crore and his constituency comprises seven assembly segments.
At this, Thambidurai intervened to draw the attention of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who was present in the House. “Finance Minister, you should consider this,” he said.
Thomas went on to add that either the allocation under MPLAD should be increased or some other form of funding be devised to enable MPs to develop their constituencies.
“Otherwise how will be able to implement the Prime Minister’s pet projects,” he questioned while referring to programmes like Swachh Bharat and Saansad Gram Yojana.
Thambidurai said the Government may issue guidelines to suggest how more funds can be available to MPs. He said if MLAs can get more, why not the MPs.
Jaitley said it was not a bad idea if states also contribute.
Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge joined in to say the Government could suggest that money can be drawn from other schemes for development of constituencies by MPs.
Jitendra Reddy of TRS said the proposal should be considered as by this way, even opposition MPs would be fulfilling programmes of the Government. (PTI)
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