Latest news with #MPLADS
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
MP urges MPLADS Fund hike & GST exemption
Anantapur: MP Ambica Lakshmi Narayana has called for urgent reforms to the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), highlighting the need to increase annual allocations and exempt development works from GST. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he pointed out that the current allocation of Rs 5 crore per MP, unchanged since 2011, has become insufficient due to inflation, rising construction costs, and growing public needs. In large rural constituencies like Anantapur, where drinking water scarcity, poor road connectivity, and lack of basic infrastructure persist, the existing funds are barely enough to meet essential requirements. He strongly opposed the imposition of GST on development works carried out under MPLADS, stating that these should be treated on par with other welfare schemes implemented by the central government, which enjoy GST exemption. The MP urged the Union Finance Minister and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to consider the demands, including increasing of MPLADS funds from the current Rs 5 crore to at least Rs 10 crore per MP annually, provide complete GST exemption for all MPLADS-funded works. He stressed that these measures would significantly strengthen rural development in backward regions such as Rayalaseema, enabling MPs to address critical local needs more effectively.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
No proposal to grant GST exemption on utilisation of MPLADS funds
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has told the parliamentary panel on finance that there is currently no proposal under consideration for granting any exemption from goods and services tax (GST) on utilisation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds. 'As far as the burden of GST on MPLADS funds is concerned, utilisation of funds for receiving supply of goods and services under the scheme is taxable as per the applicable GST rates. The GST rates and exemptions are prescribed based on the recommendations of the GST Council, which is a statutory body. At present, there is no proposal under consideration for granting any exemption of GST on utilisation of MPLADS funds,' the ministry told the parliamentary panel. Earlier, the House panel had urged the ministry to prepare a proposal to take up the matter with the finance ministry for waiving GST on MPLADS to enhance the effectiveness of the scheme. 'The Committee observes that this scheme of noble cause is heavily burdened under the GST, and the current amount of funds that have been earmarked for this scheme seems to be insufficient to fulfil the desired objective. The Committee recommend the ministry to prepare a proposal to take up the matter with the finance ministry for waiving off GST from MPLADS to enhance the effectiveness of the scheme,' the House panel had noted. Besides, the House panel also inquired whether there was a proposal to increase the yearly allocation under the scheme from ₹5 crore per member, as the current amount of funds seems insufficient due to inflation and to fulfil the desired objective of creating 'durable community assets of national priorities in the interest of the common public.' To this, the ministry submitted that at present, the approval for the scheme is till 2025–26, and it would take action for extension of the scheme beyond 31 March 2026, following due process of third-party evaluation, consultation with stakeholders, and taking into account the requests received. Meanwhile, in response to the House panel's expectation that the ministry remain committed to introducing further reforms in the National Statistical System (NSS) to boost its efficacy and make the estimates more robust, the ministry replied that the NSS has consistently adapted itself to the growing data requirements of the nation, mainly through embedding modern technological advancements. 'Through its mathematically valid scientific survey designs, 100 per cent digital data collection, robust online scrutiny and data cleaning, NSS is now capable of conducting a number of surveys simultaneously across the nation and publishing the results with zero delay,' it said.
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- The Hindu
Chennai Corporation plans bus terminus near Vivekanandar Illam
Nearly a decade after establishing a bus bay near Vivekanandar Illam as part of the Marina beautification project, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is now planning to build a bus terminus on Dr. Besant Road, close to this landmark. An official with the GCC said that the project is awaiting administrative sanction. It is expected to come up near the the junction of Dr. Besant Road and Kamarajar Salai, near Marina Beach. 'The location selected lies on a busy stretch near Marina Beach, close to key landmarks and historic landmarks along the coast. So, proposal has been prepared to match the surrounding,' he added. This project, which is estimated to cost ₹1 crore, will be jointly funded through the Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Funds (MLA-LAD) and the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) — 50% allocated under each scheme. The project involves the construction of a bus terminus with a small timekeeper room. It will have essential passenger amenities, including a waiting platform, seating arrangements and a feeding room. The work is scheduled to be completed within four months from the date of commencement. An engineer with the Chennai Corporation said that work is expected to begin within seven days of site handover after tender process is finalised. Bus bay in 2016 In 2016, the Corporation had created a bus bay at this location by reallocating land from a nearby park, alongside projects to restore greenery, install 1.2-metre heritage pillars, widen pavements, and erect new bus shelters, to ease congestion and improve pedestrian conditions along the Marina promenade.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Mandi, Kangana Ranaut's statements beg the question — is this the MP its people deserve?
'If not friend, why friend-shaped?' It's how the internet talks about people who are disingenuous — people whose appearance belies their intent. I'm borrowing it here for a different kind of creature — the politician who performs empathy without offering it. Kangana Ranaut's recent visit to flood-hit Mandi in Himachal Pradesh was a perfect illustration of that gap between appearance and action. Smiling for the cameras, laughing about her 'cabinet of two brothers', she reminded us that performance can often eclipse empathy. Since June, Himachal Pradesh has been experiencing cloud bursts that have led to flash floods. Many people have lost their lives, and damage to property has been estimated at over Rs 400 crore. When the elected MP from the region, Hindi film actor Ranaut, was asked by the media what she was doing for relief, she said, 'I don't have any cabinet or funds for disaster relief… I have my two brothers, that's my cabinet… MPs are very small in the scheme of things.' Perhaps, in a state run by the Opposition, this may be partially true — Ranaut is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, and the state is governed by the Indian National Congress (INC). But she still has at her disposal the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), an annual entitlement of Rs 5 crore for developmental work in her constituency, including for events such as the ongoing floods. This then is both a dereliction of duty and a lack of empathy. But, even if Ranaut had managed to muster empathy for the families left to rebuild their homes and businesses, as they struggle to cope with the loss of loved ones, the questions would still remain: Is Ranaut really the politician people deserve? Flash floods are not new to the mountains. There has been a deluge of flash floods in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the past several years. They occur when intense rainfall overwhelms the land's ability to absorb water, causing sudden, high-speed runoff. They're often triggered by cloudbursts or deforestation. A major contributing factor is also unchecked construction or developmental work that exact a high environmental cost. An MP obviously cannot fix the vagaries of nature. But she can, if she so chooses, amplify the pitfalls of unplanned construction and the ecological damage and devastation they wreak. She can push the government, at the Centre and state, to take corrective action. She can ensure that people at the receiving end have an ally in her. Eighty dead, 31 missing, over 150 homes and 106 cattle shelters destroyed, 14 bridges collapsed, and 31 vehicles swept away. In such circumstances, when Ranaut chooses not to use her voice, it is a deliberate letdown of the very people who have elected her to represent them. Film stars have always had a penchant for politics. From Amitabh Bachchan to Hema Malini, Jaya Prada to Jaya Bachchan, actors have forayed into politics. Barring Jaya Bachchan, few have managed to live up to the demands of the job. But if the rising floodwaters make one thing clear, it is this: We need public servants who are ready to serve. We need doers, not performers. In a recent podcast conversation with spiritual mentor Ravi V Melwani, Ranaut opened up about not enjoying her work as a politician. 'I don't enjoy it. I've never thought of serving people… I've lived a very selfish kind of life. I want to have a big house and a big car. I want to have diamonds.' This isn't a gotcha moment; it is a moment of clarity, if there ever was one. Indurkar is a writer, editor, and poet from Jabalpur
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Malvinder Kang bats for more training sessions for new members
How do you look at your experience in the first year of the 18th Lok Sabha? MP Malvinder Singh Kang My experience during the first year has been great. Since the Lok Sabha is the highest decision-making body in the country, and great personalities like BR Ambedkar have been members of this august House, being a part of it is a great responsibility as well. I am grateful to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for giving me the opportunity to draw attention to matters concerning Punjab and my constituency. What was the high point of the year for you personally and your party in the House? It was a good year for me. I was able to raise important issues such as the incarceration of 'Sikh prisoners', the increase in international flights from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali, and my state's tremendous contribution to sports. I have also been nominated as a member of the Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers. MP Malvinder Kang says his experience during the first year in the Lok Sabha has been great. Are you satisfied with the number of sittings of the Lok Sabha? The number of sittings of the House during the year was satisfactory. I got ample opportunity to participate in the proceedings. However, I feel that more training sessions should be held for new members, particularly on the procedures, rules, and regulations of the Lower House. One training session was organised, but holding more would yield better results. What is the most effective way to raise issues of public importance in the House? Though a member can raise issues of public importance in many different ways, I found participation in debates on the President's address, the budget, bills and other important issues to be the most effective to put across one's, or the party's point of view. Advance preparation and clarity of thought are important. What difference have you made to your constituency in the last one year, and what do you plan to do in the remaining term as MP? During the election campaign, a major concern among the people was absentee MPs who did not show up for two to three years after getting elected. I have tried to change this perception by regularly meeting the people of my constituency to take feedback and understand their problems so I can raise their issues in Parliament. I have been regularly meeting the central ministers to secure projects and funds under various schemes for the area. For instance, 19 people suffering from serious ailments like cancer have received financial assistance from a central scheme for treatment. Under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), development works totalling ₹ 5 crore — the full allocation for the first year — have been recommended. In addition to making all-out efforts to fully utilise the MPLADS funds, my endeavour will be to improve the infrastructure and facilities in my constituency with the support of both state and central governments.
