Highlights
LUCKNOW: Former finance minister and Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, Arun Jaitley, gave a parting gift to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's constituency, barely a week before he passed away. Jaitley sent a proposal to the Rae Bareli district administration to install 200 solar-powered high-mast lights from his MPLAD funds.
Talking to TOI, Jaitley's representative in UP, Hero Bajpai, said, "The recommendation was submitted to the Rae Bareli district administration on August 17, just days before he died." Under MPLADS, MPs can suggest to the district collector to launch projects in their constituencies up to Rs 5 crore annually.
District magistrate Rae Bareli, Neha Sharma, confirmed to TOI that she has received the recommendation.
"The project would be executed in coordination with District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). The areas where high mast lights would be installed have already been identified. We will expedite the project," she said.
"It was like his last wish to light up Rae Bareli before Diwali. Jaitley ji had expressed desire through a letter issued on July 30, which was less than 10 days before he was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences after he complained of uneasiness," said Bajpai.
In October last year, when Jaitley announced his intent to spend MPLAD funds in Rae Bareli, it was seen as a move to breach the Congress bastion ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
"The backwardness of the district, despite being represented by an influential political family, prompted Jaitley ji to choose Rae Bareli," Bajpai said.
Jaitley also sought to expedite the Spice Park project and wanted a stadium constructed in Rae Bareli. The Spice Park project was initiated during the Congress-led UPA regime.
"Other than a concrete structure, the project did not take off. The proposal for the two projects were taken up by Jaitely ji, but could not pick up pace because of his ill health," said Bajpai.
Talking to TOI, Jaitley's representative in UP, Hero Bajpai, said, "The recommendation was submitted to the Rae Bareli district administration on August 17, just days before he died." Under MPLADS, MPs can suggest to the district collector to launch projects in their constituencies up to Rs 5 crore annually.
District magistrate Rae Bareli, Neha Sharma, confirmed to TOI that she has received the recommendation.
"The project would be executed in coordination with District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). The areas where high mast lights would be installed have already been identified. We will expedite the project," she said.
"It was like his last wish to light up Rae Bareli before Diwali. Jaitley ji had expressed desire through a letter issued on July 30, which was less than 10 days before he was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences after he complained of uneasiness," said Bajpai.
In October last year, when Jaitley announced his intent to spend MPLAD funds in Rae Bareli, it was seen as a move to breach the Congress bastion ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
"The backwardness of the district, despite being represented by an influential political family, prompted Jaitley ji to choose Rae Bareli," Bajpai said.
Jaitley also sought to expedite the Spice Park project and wanted a stadium constructed in Rae Bareli. The Spice Park project was initiated during the Congress-led UPA regime.
"Other than a concrete structure, the project did not take off. The proposal for the two projects were taken up by Jaitely ji, but could not pick up pace because of his ill health," said Bajpai.
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