Government move to hike MLA funds under L-G lens

The AAP Cabinet’s proposal to provide one-time additional allocation of Rs 10 crore to each of the city’s 70 legislators under the MLA Local Development Fund to improve condition of roads and streetlights and carry out construction of community halls, underpasses, subways and foothpaths in their respective constituencies has hit a roadblock with lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung raising several questions over it. A source said that Raj Niwas has asked the urban development department to provide details of the MLA LAD funds and financial powers which are being provided to legislators in other states.

Not only this, the L-G has also sought details on how the legislators had utilised their LAD funds so far. Each MLA gets Rs 4 crore to carry out developmental works in their respective areas. Of the Rs 4-crore fund, Rs 1 crore is to be paid to the Delhi Jal Board. Each MLA can spend a maximum of Rs 2 crore for any project under this scheme.

The city Cabinet had proposed a 250 per cent hike in MLA LAD funds for the current financial year, enhancing it to Rs 14 crore from the existing Rs 4 crore. The existing Rs 280 crore for this year under MLA fund has already been disbursed by the AAP government. The AAP government’s move to increase the LAD fund was being interpreted in the political circles as its attempt to gain political mileage in the municipal elections scheduled for early next year.

A senior officer said that the urban development department will be writing to all the states to provide details about the LAD funds and other financial assistance which is provided to their legislators. “Once the about these funds is received by the urban development department, the same will be passed on to Raj Niwas, which will then be able to take a final call on the matter.”

The government had decided to enhance one-time MLA funds as the expenditure on plan head was less than 17 per cent till July end this year. “Once the new proposal is cleared by the L-G, each MLA can spend an additional amount of Rs 10 crore on developmental activities in their respective Assembly constituency. And once projects are executed, the MLAs will have to submit the fund utilisation certificates issued by the agencies concerned to the UD department,” a source told this newspaper.

The new proposal was drafted after deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in a note to the urban development minister on August 31 had observed that the condition of civil works in Delhi colonies was very pathetic. He had stated that the people of these colonies were looking towards the elected government for carrying out construction/maintenance works related to streets, parks, footpaths, streetlights as early as possible.

The deputy chief minister had also ensured that the finance department could make necessary arrangement of funds and the same could be approved in the revised Budget estimate by the government. Mr Sisodia had also observed that public needed the area MLA for carrying out different development works. The three BJP-led municipal bodies have also failed to carry out such works effectively for want of adequate funds.