The Hindu : Abuse of power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 10, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Abuse of power

Sir, — Your Editorial `Brazen abuse of power' (March 6) is apt. But then it is not only the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, who needs be hauled up but also the Congress which under Narasimha Rao introduced the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Fund (MPLADS) with the sole aim of pampering the MPs.

It seems that the fund was meant to lend itself to corruption. Only, corruption has been channelled through the people's representatives with no sanction of the people nor accountability to the people. It certainly places the MPs in an advantageous position when it comes to elections. When there are any number of agencies to implement local development works, why should this fund be put at the disposal of the MPs? Our politicians have specialised in the art of granting largesse for themselves when it comes to the taxpayer's money. In all fairness, will Parliament now cancel this MPLADS? Ms. Mayawati is just a typical case on this count. While the likes of her abuse power brazenly, others abuse power subtly.

Hilda Raja,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Your Editorial points out how funds meant for development projects allotted to MPs and MLAs have been diverted to party coffers. Every paise allotted by the Government for execution of schemes by any agency is subject to audit by the CAG. It is perplexing that the funds transacted by MPs and MLAs were scrutinised. The Government should immediately appoint an audit agency under the CAG to scrutinise the accounts.

G.E.M. Manoharan,
Coimbatore, T.N.

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