Fifteen MLAs from the district, including the nominated
MLA, have so far spent Rs.6.53 crore for various development projects
out of their collective local area development fund of Rs.15 crore
allotted for the current fiscal.
Each MLA has been
allotted Rs.1 crore, an increase from Rs.75 lakh till the 2011-12
fiscal, for development work in their constituencies. Administrative
sanction is given in advance for the projects to be undertaken using
this fund.
However, the funds being made available in
three quarterly tranches would be released only after the works are
completed and bills presented along with supporting documents and
photographs of the completed works.
The funds are
predominantly used for constructing roads and buildings, especially
primary health centres, schools, anganwadis, and libraries.
Nominated
MLA Ludy Luis leads the pack in terms of utilisation of MLA Local Area
Development Fund. He has already spent Rs.84.32 lakh for various
development projects.
PWD Minister and Kalamassery
MLA V.K. Ebrahim Kunju is close on the heels with Rs.83.49 lakh followed
by Kunnathunadu MLA V.P. Sajeendran with Rs.78.50 lakh.
Vypeen
MLA S. Sarma (Rs.69.87 lakh), Perumbavoor MLA Saju Paul (Rs.69.60
lakh), Aluva MLA Anwar Sadat (Rs.64.76 lakh), Ernakulam MLA Hibi Eden
(Rs.57.44 lakh), Muvattupuzha MLA Joseph Vazhakkan (Rs.41.34 lakh),
Kochi MLA Dominic Presentation (Rs.31.01 lakh), Food Minister and
Piravom MLA Anoop Jacob (Rs.26.50 lakh), Paravur MLA V.D. Satheesan
(Rs.19.37 lakh), and Kothamangalam MLA T.U. Kuruvilla (Rs.19 lakh) make
up the rest of the list.
While Excise and Ports
Minister and Tripunithura MLA K. Babu and Angamaly MLA Jose Thettayil
may not have opened their account, it does not indicate that they have
neglected their constituencies. It is just that MLAs have their own
style in utilising funds. In fact, these two MLAs are known for
effectively utilising their funds by carefully choosing the projects and
closely monitoring their execution.
So, often there
is a release of huge tranches from their funds in a go with the
completion of those projects, collectorate sources said. Anyway these
funds do not lapse and get accumulated over the years, they pointed out.
There have been instances of funds from even the former MLAs of various
constituencies getting accumulated.
The works using
the MLA Local Area Development Fund are expected to be completed within
six months. However, work often overshoot the permitted time limit, but
not because of the dearth of funds. For, this is one fund that is
unaffected no matter how worse the overall financial situation is.
In fact, the entire Rs.1 crore allotted to an MLA can be released in one go if the works are completed and bills duly presented.
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