State notifies new scheme, each MLA to get Rs 2.5cr yearly for devpt work in constituency

Panaji: Each of the state’s 40 MLAs will get Rs 2.5 crore a year to take up projects in their constituency as the state has notified the MLA-local area development scheme (MLA-LAD). The funds will be used for projects for the benefit of the general public but which can’t usually be taken up under the revenue or capital head of accounts.
“The annual ceiling limit to take up projects for each assembly constituency will be Rs 2.5 crore, and the scheme will be implemented by the PWD,” said PWD principal chief engineer Uttam Parsekar.
Under the scheme, the state budget will earmark constituency-wise fund allocation for all 40 constituencies. The PWD will be the single nodal authority for implementing and executing the scheme through its designated works divisions in all constituencies.
The objective of the scheme to is “to enable MLAs undertake various works as deemed necessary in their respective constituencies, as envisaged in the scheme, to enable MLAs to cater to the request of their constituents in undertaking works which are for the benefit of the general public/community at large, which works otherwise may not be able to be taken up as a revenue/capital work”.
Parsekar said that MLAs can also suggest the works pertaining to the upgradation, augmentation, strengthening, improvement, and creation of infrastructure facilities of permanent nature in this scheme. However, the prescribed annual limit for the work recommended by the MLA will be the limit of the annual funds provided to each MLA in the budget, irrespective of what kind of work the MLA has recommended, that is revenue/capital or otherwise.
“Only those works that can be completed within a maximum of 365 days shall be permitted to be taken up under this scheme,” he said.
Some of the words that can be carried out under the scheme are: giving tap water connections (only connections, not paying tariffs) to houses from low-income groups (and not commercial establishments); construction of gutters, retaining walls, protection walls, footpaths, etc.
The scheme can also be used for the construction of crematoriums or the development of burial grounds or kabrastans.