The MPs and MLAs in Telangana now have an opportunity to spend their constituency development funds judiciously and effectively, thanks to the constituency-wise and asset mapping data related to social sector development being readily available.
The 27-strong contingent of MPs, including 10 Rajya Sabha MPs, 119 MLAs and 40 MLCs, in Telangana have substantial funds at their disposal under the Local Area Development and Constituency Development Schemes should they wish to make a difference to the lives of their constituents through an informed decision.
Interactive dashboard
With ₹5 crore fund to each of the MPs and ₹ 3 crore to each of the MLAs and MLCs a year, it means an average of ₹20 crore avaialable for each Parliamentary constituency with four to seven Assembly constituencies for the programmes or assets they choose to allocate. It would be ₹100 crore during the five-year term.
The constituency-wise data was the initiative of the Unicef with the help of an NGO ‘India Governs’ and the Planning Department of Telangana.
Together they created an interactive dashboard to provide MLA constituency-level data and reports for development indicators using 2011 Census and other government MIS data. Similar exercise was carried out for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
“The substantial amount can be utilised by the MPs and MLAs for education, health, basic amenities like drinking water, latrines, housing, community assets like schools, primary health centres and community halls, among others. The legislators may have their own priorities to sanction the amount while the constituency-wise data on the dashboard gives an indication where the assistance is required.
Wherever there is convergence of interest, the funds can be utilised there,” Planning Department sources explained.
Nomination basis
The subject came up in the recently held Monitoring Committee meeting on MPLADS attended by some 10 MPs.
The constituency development funds are sanctioned through the District Collector but for works below ₹5 lakh, it could be awarded to contractors on nomination basis. Over the years it had become the practice mostly to award the works to chosen contractors, read party workers, followers. The money would be spent mostly on road works, etc., without much to show on the ground.
The Planning Department did pilot project on asset mapping in erstwhile Mahabungar and it was nearing completion in Karimnagar district. For instance it would map the health centres, anganwadis and identify the gaps where they are required.
This would help the MPs, MLAs to take up projects beneficial to constituency people and award major works to credible persons through tenders. Such an approach can bring in accountability and help the legislators to make a difference to their constituencies.
The data on MPLADS showed that maximum works were sanctioned in Panchayat Raj, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Rural Development sectors and 70 % of sanctioned works were completed. Of ₹393 crore sanctioned for these works, 75 % of funds had been spent.