Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Abolish MPLADS

Sir, — This has reference to `Working of the MPLADS' ( April 24 ). Era. Sezhiyan has highlighted the vices in the operation of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which has consumed Rs. 12,140 crores since its inception in 1993-94.

The grant to the MP has been increased from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores. There is a proposal to hike it to ``at least Rs. 5 crores'', which means an annual outlay of Rs. 4,000 crores.

One aspect that Mr. Sezhiyan has not highlighted is the level of corruption, which has touched new heights due to lack of accountability. This affects the quality of the `permanent assets' and serves to divert at least 50 per cent of the outlay and divide it among the MPs, their district/constituency representatives and the district administrators, with very few honourable exceptions.

The scheme was devised at a time of political instability at the Centre to keep the flock in good humour. It has no conceptual rationale. There is no alternative but to abolish the scheme, a constitutional perversity, which is a drain on the national resources.

Syed Shahabuddin,
New Delhi

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