Latest news with #MLALocalAreaDevelopment
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Now, Delhi's civic body can use CM & MLA funds to fast-track infra projects
To fast-track infrastructure projects, enhance transparency and eliminate financial hurdles, the Delhi government has introduced key reforms in schemes like the Chief Minister Development Fund (CMDF) and MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) Fund, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday. Now, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) can use the CMDF and MLALAD funds to carry out development works. Earlier, such projects could only be executed through the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) or the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), she added. 'This often caused delays in completing smaller projects, as these departments prioritised larger works. With this change, minor development works will now be handled more swiftly by the municipal corporation,' Gupta said in a statement. She added that changes have also been introduced in releasing payments for these projects. 'The first instalment, amounting to 10% of the estimated cost, will be released to executing agencies at the time of project approval. The second instalment, which along with the first instalment, will make up 50% of the tender amount, will be released upon submission of the required documents.' The remaining 50% will be released on completion of work, said officials. Gupta emphasised that this reform will significantly reduce delays in payments to construction companies and contractors. 'From the day we assumed office, our priority has been to revive and accelerate development works. During our review, it became evident that certain procedural changes could significantly speed up project execution,' said Gupta.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong accuses BJP of hindering work under MLA-LAD scheme
Agartala: Veteran Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy on Monday launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP govt in Tripura, alleging that the saffron groups backed by the party leaders have been obstructing development works under MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) projects. Roy has been doing a door-to-door campaign against PM's Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme for over a week in the city, and he alleged that Modi is not listening to the sufferings of the common people, instead he is passing time with the innocent people with his concocted stories and misleading facts. "There is no assurance of a job, no assurance of the protection of civil rights, no respect for the Constitution and democratic values of India...," Roy said. He said there was a severe scarcity of water, electricity tariffs have gone up, gas prices are high, and people are being charged Rs 10,000 for smart meter installations. While BJP is opposing smart meters in West Bengal, they are implementing the same in Tripura. Meanwhile, in a similar programme in Kailashahar of Unakoti district, former minister and present MLA from Congress Birjit Sinha has leveled serious corruption allegations against the Tripura govt, claiming that contractors are being forced to pay bribes to ministers in order to secure govt contracts. Responding to Congress MLAs' allegations, party spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said both of them were dreaming the past of their regime in Tripura during 1988 which was a black history of Tripura. "All the allegations are fabricated and far from the truth," Chakraborty said.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Delhi government cuts MLA Development Fund from Rs 15 crore to Rs 5 crore
NEW DELHI: Three months after its formation, the BJP government in Delhi has reduced the annual MLA Local Area Development (LAD) Fund from Rs.15 crore to Rs. 5 crore, igniting a sharp reaction from the Opposition AAP. The previous AAP government in October last year had increased the MLALAD Fund from Rs. 10 crore to Rs.15 crore. A sum of Rs. 4 crore was provided to each MLA in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and it was enhanced to Rs. 7 crore in 2023-24. According to an order by the Urban Development Department, the MLALAD Fund has been kept at Rs 5 crore/assembly constituency per year. 'In pursuance of Cabinet Decision No. 3187 dated 02.05.2025, the allocation of funds under the MLALAD Scheme has been kept at Rs. 5 crore per assembly constituency per year from financial year 2025-26 onwards,' said the order. The ministers have been directed that it will be an untied fund and could be spent for the approved works of capital nature as well as repairs and maintenance of the assets without a ceiling.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MLA-LAD fund slashed from Rs 15 cr to Rs 5 cr
New Delhi: The BJP-led Delhi government has significantly reduced the annual allocation for the MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) fund from ₹15 crore to ₹5 crore per legislator, according to a recent directive issued by the Urban Development Department. The decision, formalized through Cabinet Decision No. 3187 dated May 2, 2025, will come into effect from the financial year 2025–26. The move marks a major policy reversal from the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which had increased the fund from ₹10 crore to ₹15 crore in October 2024, just months ahead of the February 2025 Assembly elections. The AAP was defeated by the BJP in those elections. As per the order, each of Delhi's 70 MLAs will now receive ₹5 crore annually under the MLA-LAD Scheme, amounting to a total outlay of ₹350 crore. Notably, the fund has been designated as an "untied" allocation, meaning it can be used without restriction for both capital works and the repair and maintenance of public assets, provided they fall under approved categories. A BJP legislator, speaking to the media, stated that the decision reflects the government's commitment to financial discipline and more efficient use of public resources. 'This restructuring will help eliminate unnecessary expenditures and ensure greater transparency in the execution of developmental works,' the MLA said. Under the AAP administration, MLA funds had seen a steady increase — from ₹4 crore in 2021–22 and 2022–23, to ₹7 crore in 2023–24, and finally to ₹15 crore in 2024–25. The MLA-LAD scheme plays a crucial role in local development, allowing legislators to fund infrastructure, road works, school improvements, and other essential public services in their constituencies. While the current government has defended the cut as a fiscally responsible move, it remains unclear how the funds saved from this reduction will be reallocated or utilized. Opposition leaders have yet to comment formally on the decision.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AAP, BJP exchange fire over MLA LAD funds
New Delhi: AAP on Tuesday accused BJP govt of dealing a blow to development works in the city by slashing the MLA Local Area Development (MLA LAD) Fund from Rs 15 crore to just Rs 5 crore. AAP-Delhi convener Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed at a press conference that during his party's govt, MLAs got Rs 15 crore as MLA LAD Fund and were able to complete all essential works in their respective constituencies. Calling it a "blatant falsehood", Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor challenged Bharadwaj to specify the year when Kejriwal govt allocated Rs 15 crore as MLALAD funds. Bharadwaj, however, said the MLAs then used Rs 15 crore annually for "urgent, local development works " that improved people's day-to-day lives. He said BJP govt increased the annual budget from Rs 70,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore for 2025-26. "By that reasoning, the Rs 15 crore should have gone up to Rs 25 crore. But instead, BJP govt slashed the allocation to just Rs 5 crore. This reveals their dishonesty," he pointed out. The former MLA claimed that the assertion that the fund was being wasted was an outright lie and it was fully utilised. He alleged that last year BJP had deliberately intervened and several projects were blocked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Kapoor claimed that the MLA fund between 2015 and 2018 was merely Rs 4 crore, which was increased to Rs 10 crore in 2018-19. "But even that amount was never actually disbursed. In Oct 2024, then CM Atishi passed a proposal to raise the fund to Rs 15 crore, but it was never implemented." He added, "Official records confirm that in 2018-19, govt announced the increase in the MLA fund to Rs 10 crore, but only Rs 4 crore was actually allocated. In 2019-20, Rs 4 crore were allocated, which was reduced to zero due to the pandemic in 2020-21 and increased to Rs 4 crore in 2021-22 and 2022-23." In 2023-24 and 2024-25, Rs 7 crore was announced, but most MLAs couldn't utilise it, Kapoor alleged.
