Assembly Updates: Odisha MLAs demand hike of LAD fund from Rs 3 crore to Rs 10 crore

Bhubaneswar: Members of ruling and Opposition parties today demanded stepping up of the existing allocation limit of MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund from Rs 3 crore to Rs 10 crore.

During the Question Hour of Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session, Opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi and BJP legislator Bhaskar Madhei raised the issue, which was widely debated.

Comparing the LAD fund limit in other states, senior Congress leader and Kantabanji MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said, “Limit of the general fund should be escalated from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore and be spent as per the recommendation of respective legislators.”

Ruling BJD MLA Latika Pradhan also demanded a spike in LAD fund.

Echoing the same views, first member who had raised the question, Bhadrak BJD MLA Sanjib Mallik added saying, “Development and beautification works are underway at major shrines of Odisha. However, small temples located in villages across the State face crisis of fund shortage.”

LAD funds do not suffice the local needs and general fund must be increased, Mallik stated.

Planning and Coordination Minister Rajendra Dholakia said that there is no plan to escalate the present LAD fund limit and it may be discussed at an appropriate time. The LAD fund limit was hiked from Rs 1 crore to Rs 3 crore in 2020-21.

The MLA LAD fund limit is Rs 2 crore in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Rs 5 crore in Telangana, Rs 4 crore in Chhattisgarh, Rs 60 lakh in West Bengal and Rs 4 crore in Jharkhand, including Rs 5 crore each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Dholakia expressed.

Assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha directed the Planning and Coordination Minister to discuss with officials concerned about the proposal put up by several MLAs. The House must be duly intimated on the way it can be implemented, Arukha emphasised.

It is pertinent to mention, presently, the LAD fund comprises of Rs 2 crore (spent for general purposes), Rs 50,000 (for higher education) and Rs 50,000 (for construction of roads and buildings).