After High Command whip: Congress MLAs told to be at forefront of every protest against govt, irrespective of strength

Indian Express

17-07-2025

Over the last one year, since the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, the 26 Lower House Parliamentarians from Gujarat have utilised only Rs 10.72 crore out of the total Rs 254.8 crore – a mere 4.2% – allocated to them under the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme, according to a report from Gujarat-based voluntary organisation Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP).
No expenditure has been made so far under the MPLAD scheme in Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Banaskantha, Chhota Udepur, Gandhinagar and Navsari parliamentary constituencies, the report added. In Gujarat, out of the total 26 Lok Sabha seats, 25 are being represented by Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Opposition Congress has only one seat – Banaskantha.
The report was released on Wednesday by Secretary of MAGP Pankti Jog while analysing the data — as on July 5, 2025 — from the official portal for MPLAD Scheme.
The 18th Lok Sabha was constituted in June last year. Under the MPLAD Scheme, each Parliamentarian is allocated Rs 5 crore per year for development works in their constituency.
According to the MPLAD 2023 guidelines, various types of works related to public welfare and development can be undertaken. These include public health, education, construction of public and community buildings, drinking water and sanitation, irrigation, drainage, flood-control protective structures, animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, agriculture and farmer welfare, energy supply and distribution systems, as well as works related to railways, roads, bridges, etc.
While only 4.2% of the allocated budget has been spent, Bharuch, Patan and Sabarkantha parliamentary constituencies top the list in terms of expenditure done. Bharuch has spent Rs 1.73 crore followed by Patan with Rs 1.56 crore and Sabarkantha, which spent Rs 1.08 crore. Bharuch, Patan and Sabarkantha constituencies are being represented by BJP MPs Mansukh Vasava, Bharatsinh Dabhi and Shobhnaben Baraiya, respectively.
While releasing the analytic report, MAGP stated, 'A notable point is that even though one year has passed since the 18th Lok Sabha was formed, no expenditure has been made so far under MPLAD funds in the Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Banaskantha, Chhota Udepur, Gandhinagar, and Navsari parliamentary constituencies.'
Ahmedabad East is represented by Hasmukh Patel, Ahmedabad West by Dinesh Makwana, Banaskantha by Geniben Thakore, Chhota Udepur by Jashubhai Rathva, Gandhinagar by Amit Shah, and Navsari constituency by C R Patil.
The report has also analysed the number of works recommended by the MPs.
As per the report, Navsari MP C R Paatil has recommended a maximum 297 works followed by Mehsana MP Haribhai Patel (271 works) and Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan (265 works). Banaskantha MP Thakor has recommended least number of works (26) followed by Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah (36) and Bhavnagar Parliamentarian Nimuben Bambhaniya (37).
The report said that out of the total 3,823 works recommended by the MPs, only 93 have been completed. In Bardoli constituency, the maximum number (21) of recommended works have been completed followed by Mehsana (20) and Bharuch (12). The Bardoli seat is represented by Prabhu Vasava while Mehsana has Haribhai Patel as its MP.
'As per the guidelines, the approval process for works recommended by an MP should be completed within 45 days. However, scrutiny of available data reveals that out of a total of 3,823 recommended works, only 93 works have been completed,' the MAGP said in a statement.
During the year, out of 26 constituencies, no work has been completed in 14 constituencies, it added.