The Hindu : New Delhi News : Use of MLA funds made more flexible

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Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009
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New Delhi

Use of MLA funds made more flexible

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet has approved a proposal to revise the guidelines for the MLA Local Area Development Scheme-2009 and now the MLAs have been allowed to contribute or donate up to Rs.35 lakh to the Lieutenant-Governor’s or Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for relief to victims of a natural disaster or national calamity.

In addition, the mandatory portion of Rs.1 crore would be merged into the discretionary portion of the fund and the whole fund of Rs.2 crore would be considered as total discretionary fund to enable the MLAs to get the development works executed.

When the scheme was launched in 1994-95, the Government had earmarked Rs.1 crore per year per Delhi Assembly constituency. The scheme was prepared on the pattern of the MP LAD Scheme.

The quantum of fund for each MLA was increased to Rs.1.40 crore in 1999-2000, Rs.1.90 crore in 2000-01 and Rs.2 crore in 2004-05.

The scheme has now been revised and fresh guidelines have been framed to make it more purposeful and development-oriented.

The development works relating to common facilities in the slum complexes required for welfare of downtrodden and weaker sections of society have now been added to the list of permissible items.

As per the revised guidelines, the released fund lying unspent with the implementing agencies and unreleased fund lying with the Government for the last three to four years respectively would also be allowed to be carried forward or released with the approval of the Delhi Government. Further, the shifting of high-tension and low-tension power lines has also been inserted into the list of permissible items under the purview of the scheme.

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