MLA Local Area Development Funds Not Yet Released

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Around six months of fiscal 2021-22 have elapsed, but Dispur has not released MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds.

For the delay in MLALAD funds, the MLAs cannot sanction schemes.

Since the Opposition MLAs largely depend on MLALAD funds, they are in a difficult situation. Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia has already written a letter to the government for the early release of MLALAD funds. The T&D (Transformation & Development) Department releases MLALAD funds with approval from the Finance Department.

According to T&D Department sources, this year amount of MLA LAD funds got reduced to Rs 80 lakh from Rs 1 crore. The T&D Department, however, is silent on the reason for the reduction of the MLALAD fund.

When asked, a source in the T&D Department said that the department had sought the UCs (utilization certificates) of fiscals 2020-21 and 2019-20 from the deputy commissioners. "The deputy commissioners have submitted their UCs. We will release the MLALAD funds after getting approval from the Finance Department," a source in the T&D Department said.

According to standing rules, for the release of MLALAD funds, submission of UCs of 70 per cent funds of the preceding fiscal and 100 per cent funds of the fiscal before the preceding fiscal are a must.

Also Read: Non-release of MLALAD Funds: 90 LACs yet to submit Utilization Certificates

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