Delhi Government raises MLALAD fund from Rs 10 to Rs 15 crore

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 10

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi Government on Thursday raised the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund from Rs10 crore to Rs15 crore annually, just months ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi.

Chief Minister Atishi, while addressing a press conference, highlighted that this was the highest MLALAD fund allocation in the country. “MLALAD funds are very crucial in democracy through which people can get development work done in their areas,” she stated.

Measure Aimed at appeasing MLAs: BJP

• Criticising the Delhi Government’s decision, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta said “The timing of this increase, just before the government’s tenure ends, suggests it is aimed at appeasing Aam Aadmi Party MLAs rather than solving local problems. This additional Rs 5 crore will most likely be used for personal gain through commissions rather than development.”
• With only 100 days left in the Assembly’s tenure, the BJP leaders questioned the feasibility of utilising the newly announced funds. “Residents of Delhi know that it will take at least a month for this additional amount to be processed, and by then, the election code of conduct will come into effect, meaning the MLA fund will lapse,” the leaders said. TNS

She added that the Delhi Cabinet’s decision to raise the annual fund by Rs 5 crore per MLA would significantly aid local development projects. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj explained that the increase in funds was necessitated by the extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall this year. “This year Delhi witnessed heavy rain, due to which roads got damaged, walls of parks got broken. Many other problems have also come up. To get all these works done, MLAs would need more money,” Bharadwaj said.

Atishi said the increased fund allocation is “three times more than other states” and is part of the AAP government’s efforts to improve the lives of Delhi’s residents.

Bharadwaj also criticised L-G VK Saxena for allegedly ordering the Public Works Department (PWD) to seal the CM’s residence. “Have you ever seen that when an MP becomes a minister and shifts to the ministerial residence, his belongings are taken out of the MP residence and kept on the road? This is nonsense and the L-G should avoid it,” he said.

The Delhi Assembly poll are scheduled for February next year and the party wants to bank on its development works. Recently, its ministers and MLAs inspected the roads. The CM had earlier said 89 roads need to be made afresh, and tenders for 74 roads have been released.