The AAP government has proposed a 250% hike in MLA Local Area Development (LAD) funds for the current financial year, enhancing it to Rs 14 crore from the existing Rs 4 crore.
Kejriwal government has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking its prior approval, a senior government official said.
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If the Central government give its nod, the proposal will be tabled in the Assembly where the Aam Aadmi Party has an overwhelming majority with 67 MLAs.
In 2011, Sheila Dikshit government had increased MLA LAD fund from Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore for carrying out development works in Delhi. However, the current proposed hike will only be for the ongoing financial year.
“Out of Rs 4 crore MLA LAD fund, Rs 1 crore is allocated for executing works pertaining to Delhi Jal Board every year as per the rule. Rest of the funds are also fixed for some other works following which MLAs do not have more fund left to carry out development works in their constituencies.
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“In view of this, government has proposed to provide one-time additional allocation of Rs 10 crore for each MLA in the current financial year,” the official said.
If the government increases Rs 10 crore for each MLA, it would be perhaps the highest in the country. The officer said that all three MCDs have “failed” in effectively carrying out development works for want of adequate funds.
(With PTI inputs)