Utilization of MLALAD funds; Lack of UCs exposes the dark underbelly of schemes

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: At the fag-end of 2019-20 only a few MLAs have started the process of sanctioning funds for new schemes with their MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds for this fiscal, but the rest of the MLAs haven’t. And the reason behind most of the MLAs not being able to sanction funds for development schemes in their respective LACs (Legislative Assembly Constituencies) is the respective deputy commissioners not submitting utilization certificates (UCs) of the funds released in fiscal 2017-18 and 2018-19. Isn’t it indicative of lack of development in the State?

The use of MLALAD funds for the development of infrastructure is under the prerogative of the MLAs. For sanctioning schemes with MLALAD funds, the submission of utilization certificates of the two previous fiscals – for 70 per cent funds of the immediately preceding year and 100 per cent fund of the year before the immediately preceding year – is a must. However, now it has come to light that many deputy commissioners of the State have not yet submitted UCs of fiscal 2018-19 and 2017-18 as yet. And this delay in the completion of the schemes of fiscal 2017-18 and 2018-19 is sure to have their spillover effects in the schemes of fiscal 2019-20 and the successive fiscals.

According to standing rules, the MLA concerned forms a construction committee for each and every scheme under MLALAD funds for the construction of the infrastructure. The deputy commissioners are to monitor the construction of the schemes and put pressure on the construction committees to ensure proper and timely completion of the schemes. The construction committees are to submit UCs to their respective deputy commissioners. However, in this chain of responsibilities for proper and timely implementation of MLALAD funds, neither the deputy commissioners nor most of the MLAs have been able to spot the weak point in this chain. They should bear this in mind that a chain is no stronger than its weakest point.

At present the amount of MLALAD fund in the State is Rs 1 crore per financial year under the Transformation & Development (T&D) department, formerly known as the Planning & Development (P&D).

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