It is shocking to note that in the last three years nearly Rs 150 crore remained unutilized by the MLAs from their entitled Rs 300 crore fund under the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) scheme. Incidentally four legislators exceeded their ceiling limit. It is pertinent to note that under the scheme the MLAs can get projects worth 2.5 crore sanctioned annually. A total of Rs 300 crore was reportedly allocated across 40 constituencies since 2022, when the scheme was notified and each constituency has got a total allocation of Rs 7.50 crore. Be that as it may, it is indeed flabbergasting to note that several MLAs probably feel that there is no need to carry out further developmental work in their respective constituencies. Are citizens to believe that their constituency is overdeveloped? People from several constituencies do not have adequate water supply, the roads are in bad condition while public health and educational facilities need upgradation. Obviously funding these projects is not a problem. So what stops the elected representative from utilizing the funds for developmental work? Is it indifference and lackadaisical attitude on the part of the elected representatives?
