JOIN USThere is a common allegation that the Local Area Development funds of MPs and MLAs are being misused only to strengthen the vote banks of the party.
Of late, it is said that the personal assistants of the elected representative have been outsourcing the development works to their party confidantes on contract and releasing funds after taking into account the strength of the votes of the party in the particular constituency.
Unfortunately the areas where the party is weak have been neglected and funds have not been released. Even basic amenities like drinking water and sanitation are not taken care of, lament residents, especially where the backward communities are large in numbers.
But the netas have a different version. They justify that the funds released by the government are judiciously used and all the areas would be developed in phases and basic amenities provided in future.
The Centre has formed some guidelines for the usage of MP Local Area Development Fund. Accordingly impetus should be given for the development of SC/ST and backward community along with others.
The funds can be utilised for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene and also for disaster management that comes with certain clauses.
Tricycles distribution for physically-challenged, books for libraries, purchase of ambulance for the hospitals are also allowed. The MPLAD funds has been raised to Rs five crore from the year 2011-12. Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency includes Chamarajanagar, Hanur, Gundlupet and Kollegal Assembly constituencies. Nanjangud legislative Assembly constituency also comes under Chamarajanagar.
Varuna, Heggadevanakote ( H D Kote) and T Narasipura have been included to Mysore district.
From the year 2009-10, about Rs 19 crore has been released under MPLAD. In the eight legislative constituencies about 438 works have been taken up and only 159 works have been completed. The funds utilised is just Rs 8.48 crore.
In all, not even 50 per cent works have been taken up. Out of the funds released, 95 per cent funds have been used for construction of community halls.