Title: Regarding enchancement of funds under MPLADS.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, I have a submission to make on the MPLADS issue. My submission is as follows. You constituted a Committee of the House on the MPLADS which was earlier headed by Shri B.B.Ramaiah. There we had discussed in depth and found that the Thirteenth Lok Sabha is the only Lok Sabha which has successfully utilised the maximum percentage of the MPLADS fund in the respective constituencies of the hon. Members.
Sir, on examination it has been found that there are State Governments which cannot render even lip service to the schools and colleges. Those schools and colleges have been highly benefited by the MPLADS programme. The same is the case with rural electrification programme also.
Our former Speaker, the late Shri Balayogi conducted a Seminar in Hyderabad. There, it was pointed out that the efficient implementation of the MPLADS benefited the upliftment of the rural education service also. But, at the same time, we found two serious discriminations. Firstly, in some States, MLAs are getting for each Assembly segment between Rs.50 lakh and Rs.75 lakh and in Delhi it is Rs.1 crore. But, MPs who are having seven to nine Assembly segments in their constituencies are getting only Rs.2 crore. Therefore, the earlier Speaker and I think you also opined that this is the only Fund which goes directly to the people’s welfare.
As you know, now-a-days MPs – after so many laws have been passed – are helpless in their respective constituencies because grassroots things are done by Panchayati Raj institutions and other things are done by the MLAs and the State Governments. MPs have no means to reach to their people. This is the only vehicle through which MPs could reach to their constituents.
Therefore, I sincerely submit through you that taking into account all these things, the recommendation of the MPLADS Committee may kindly be accepted by the Government. They may bring a supplementary item after the recess or even before that and we will all support this cause.
MR. SPEAKER: I am going to the Private Members’ Business now. Further discussion on this issue will be tomorrow.
SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL: Please adopt the Resolution.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, your observation on the issue that I raised is very vital.
MR. SPEAKER: I have already given my opinion to the hon. Prime Minister. It is for the Finance Minister and others to decide on that. I have already spoken on this. I am not starting a discussion on this now. I do not want to take the time available to the Private Members’ Business.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Why are you allowing Members to speak on this issue?
MR. SPEAKER: I am not allowing anybody.
… (Interruptions)
(TIRUNELVELI): You have taken up the MPLADS issue with the hon. Prime Minister for enhancement of the fund from Rs.2 crore to Rs.3 crore. In some States MLAs are getting Rs.50 lakh and more for an Assembly Constituency. Six or more Assembly Constituencies constitute one Parliamentary Constituency.
SHRI KIRTI JHA AZAD (DARBHANGA): Sir, I have a submission to make. When it is the prerogative of the hon. Speaker and the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, why do not you move it from the Chair itself? We will all support it.
MR. SPEAKER: It is not really so easy.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, this is the only Committee which comes under you directly. Sir, you are the de facto Chairman of that Committee and I am only the figure head. The Speaker can ask the Government and the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs to make a commitment. They have committed earlier..… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The Finance Minister had noted your sentiments and he has already said that he will look into all the problems raised by different Members of the House. This issue is also being raised.
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SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : The climate is spoiled by one section of one State…… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Let us not spoil our own case.
… (Interruptions)
श्री कीर्ति झा आज़ाद : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके संज्ञान में लाना चाहता हूं कि प्रधानमंत्री ग्राम सड़क योजना सफलता से चल रही है, यह भी कामयाब होगी।
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Minister, would you like to react on the issue as Members have raised it?
… (Interruptions)
श्री कीर्ति झा आज़ाद : स्पीकर साहब, आप इसे करवा दीजिये। एमपीलैड्स में पैसा बढ़ाना चाहिये। लोग खड़े नहीं हो पा रहे हैं जो कह सकें कि इसे बढ़ाइये।
MR. SPEAKER: I think almost the entire House is of the opinion that this amount should be increased. Let the Minister say something on this point.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : We had unanimously passed the Appropriation Bill without any opposition…… (Interruptions)