Government may consider increasing MLAAD: Minister Pijush Hazarika

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government will consider increasing the MLA Area Development Fund (MLAAD), said State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika in the House on Tuesday during the ongoing Budget session. The minister, however, also said that MLAs should use their local area development fund cautiously.

MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar today moved a private member resolution in the House for increasing the MLAAD fund from the present Rs 1 crore to Rs 3 crore. Justifying his resolution, the MLA said that as this fund is used by each MLA to carry out development works in his constituency, the fund amount should be increased. This resolution was supported by the Opposition MLAs. Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi said that the MLAAD fund should be increased to Rs 5 crore-Rs 6 crore.

In reply, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika said, “Whenever there is any discussion about increasing the salary of MLAs in the House, people do not approve of it. There have been irregularities in execution of schemes under the local area development fund of MLAs and MPs. So MLAs and MPs must be cautious and judicious while utilizing their local area development funds.”

Hefurther said that there have been instances where against 25 schemes, one person is the construction committee president and against 40 schemes, there is only one technical officer. “Because of such irregularities, people feel that the MLAAD should be reduced. At present, the MLAAD cannot be increased but in future, the government may consider increasing the MLAAD. I will personally request the Chief Minister to take this into consideration,” said Hazarika.

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