Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 7 () Kerala Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the Centre's decision tosuspend the MPLAD fund for two years was "detrimental" and itshould be allowed to be used for fighting the Covid-19 inrespective constituencies of the Members of Parliament.
Pointing out that the Local Self Governments (LSG)s wereplaying a major role in fighting the pandemic and there was arequirement of funds at the local level, Vijayan said refusingthe MPLAD fund at this stage was against the country's federalstructure.
"This decision needs to be reconsidered. MPLAD fundshould be allowed to be used for fighting the pandemic inrespective constituencies. The Centre must give a directionaccordingly", Vijayan told reporters here after a Covid-19review meeting.
Various MP's including Thiruvananthapuram MP had come outagainst the decision on MPLAD fund, saying it should berevised and MPs should be allowed to earmark these funds forCovid-19 related expenditure to meet local needs and benefitthe vulnerable.
The Chief Minister said while he appreciated thegovernment's decision to cut the salaries of Prime Minister,Ministers and the MPs to raise funds to deal with thepandemic, suspension of the MPLAD fund for two years would be"detrimental" to the development of local areas.
There are allegations that even in the backdrop ofCovid-19 the financial aid given to various states were"imbalanced and discriminatory."
As far as Kerala was concerned the fund was insufficient,Vijayan said.
"In these circumstances, it was inmportant that we usethe MPLAD fund for fighting the pandemic. Certain MPs havealready started utilising the funds for the state and theirconstituencies. But as of now, all such funds are not possibleto use".
Noting that the MPLAD funds were meant for the people ofthe respective constituencies, he said it was not right tosubsume them to the Central pool.
Be it a natural disaster or a pandemic, effectiveinterference can be made in the local level.
In Kerala, the local self government institutions haveplayed a major role in the disaster management works after thefloods and rehabilitation, he said. RRT UDROH ROH
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