Penniless Dispur makes MLAs see red

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 4: Six months into the fincial year, Assam government is yet to release the Area Development funds to the MLAs.

The MLALAD funds are released in two installments - of Rs 50 lakh each.

The worried legislators today held a meeting with Planning and Development minister Ajanta Neog, voicing their resentment. Sources said the minister assured the team of legislators, which included AGP's Phani Bhusan Choudhury, Keshav Mahanta and Congress' Bhupen Kumar Bora, that the government will release the first installment this month itself.

The second installment will be released after submission of utilization certificates of the first installment.

The legislators had also raised the issue in the recently concluded monsoon session, contending that schemes cannot be sanctioned if the funds are not released. During the meeting with Ajanta Neog today, the legislators also expressed concern at "loopholes" in the guidelines for utilization of MLALAD funds. "There are some practical problems MLAs face in spending the funds," they said, seeking a revision of guidelines.