MPLAD-type fund for Chhattisgarh's corporators

Raipur, Mar 21 (UNI) Elected representatives of urban civic bodies in Chhattisgarh would henceforth obtain a fund on the lines of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.

Urban Development Minister Amar Agrawal told UNI that Rs 22 crore were earmarked for the corporators' fund through which these representatives of municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats could authorise development work in their respective areas.

Mr Agrawal announced the scheme's introduction in the assembly yesterday, while replying to a discussion on his department's budgetary demands, making Chhattisgarh the first state to roll out such a venture.

Elected representatives of corporations could recommend development work worth Rs 1.5 lakh each fiscal while council members would be able to spend Rs 1 lakh annually. Similarly, elected members of panchayats could expend Rs 50,000 every financial year. Eldermen of these civic bodies would be entitled to spend Rs 1 lakh annually.

More than 2,600 representatives of 10 corporations, 28 councils and 72 panchayats would benefit.

When the mMinister's attention was drawn towards complaints of alleged corruption in the MPLAD scheme and a similar fund for legislators in several states, Mr Agrawal said he disagreed with the perception that such a scheme would result in corruption.

Elected representatives could recommend work and it would be the responsibility of the chief municipal officer to ensure that the work was undertaken.

UNI AS-JJ AC SB KP2051