Raise MPLAD fund from Rs 2 cr to Rs 5 cr: LS members

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Cutting across the political spectrum, members in the Lok Sabha today demanded hiking the MPLAD fund from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Kharabela Swain (BJD) said the amount should be increased to Rs 5 crore to offset the rising prices. His suggestion was greeted by the thumping of desks by members of other parties.

Some even said the money should be raised to Rs 10 crore.

''Raise the amount to Rs 5 crore or scrap the fund altogether so that we can go the people and say that our job is only 'bhashan baazi (making speeches)' and we can do nothing for you,'' Mr Swain said.

This prompted Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to say, ''more work, more pay'', and refer to the 19 hours wasted last week and the entire day yesterday because of adjournments.

Mr Swain said the general impression among the public was that the MPS were swindlers who get Rs 2 crore for themselves from the Prime Minister at the start of each year.

''In fact, more than 90 per cent of the fund is spent,'' he said.

Mr Swain continued to raise the demand vociferously, with other members supporting him, even after Mr Chatterjee called the name of the next speaker.

When they refused to take their seats, Mr Chatterjee said: ''People are looking at us. We are fighting for more money for ourselves.'' UNI