Latest news with #MPLocalAreaDevelopment
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
After High Command whip: Congress MLAs told to be at forefront of every protest against govt, irrespective of strength
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.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Margao to get CCTV cameras at 16 locations before Chaturthi
Margao: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is set to revive its CCTV surveillance network with the installation of cameras at 16 strategic locations before Ganesh Chaturthi. With this initiative, MMC aims to make a fresh attempt to tackle traffic congestion and crime in the city. MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar said that a five-member committee constituted under the chief officer has already identified the locations for camera installation. The committee, which met with RTO officials, police, and MMC representatives, has finalised the spots for the initial phase. While the MMC requires 100 cameras to provide CCTV coverage across the entire town, the civic body will begin with 16 cameras as part of the first phase. Ten cameras have already been installed around the Sonsoddo waste treatment plant. This initiative is a second attempt at establishing effective camera surveillance in Margao. The town first introduced CCTV cameras in June 2012 when the South Goa district administration installed a CCTV surveillance system from Holy Spirit Church to MMC square under the MP Local Area Development scheme. The system initially showed promising results, with traffic police successfully tracking down violators and issuing fines to vehicle owners based on CCTV footage. A dedicated cell was formed of traffic personnel to monitor CCTV footage and detect violations. Police said the CCTV surveillance system created a sense of deterrence, thus enabling curtailment of the crime rate. However, the exercise soon fizzled out. The surveillance network of 2012 turned dysfunctional largely due to a lack of maintenance. The absence of regular maintenance obligations from the vendor resulted in the system becoming irreparable, leaving Margao without effective CCTV surveillance for over a decade. 'The crime rate jumped steeply once the CCTV surveillance was out of order,' a senior police officer said. This time, however, Shirodkar said, all necessary safeguards will be built into the agreement to be signed with the vendors to prevent any kind of misadventure. The new initiative also includes plans to introduce pay-parking areas to further address traffic congestion issues plaguing the state's commercial capital.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CCTV cameras, pay-parking in Margao soon
Margao: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) will install CCTV cameras at several locations and introduce pay-parking areas to tackle traffic congestion. MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar said a committee constituted under the chief officer identified 15-16 locations for the installation of CCTV cameras in congested areas. It met with the RTO, police, and MMC officials to finalise the spots. 'Installation of cameras will be fully funded by the MMC. Also, we are moving forward with pay parking at 4-5 locations,' Shirodkar said. CCTV cameras installed at various places years ago under the MP Local Area Development scheme went beyond repair, primarily due to poor maintenance. The chairperson also said that the proposed hydraulic pay-parking system will materialise soon. The project is being implemented through the Goa State Urban Development Agency, which has already invited expressions of interest. However, the progress of the project is shrouded in secrecy. Opposition councillors, meanwhile, have slammed the MMC's 'announcement politics'. Earlier pay-parking proposals for Margao Square, Fatima Convent, and Isidore Baptista Road never got off the ground, they said.
