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

* Less than 30 days for fiscal 2019-2020 to end

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With less than 30 days for fiscal 2019-2020 to end, 90 of the 126 legislators of the State have not yet received funds for area development. Under the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund, only 36 MLAs have so far received the fund. At present, the amount of MLALAD fund in the State is Rs 1 crore per financial year under the Transformation & Development (T&D) department, formerly known as the Planning & Development (P&D).

The ongoing Budget session has taken cognizance of the non-release of the MLALAD fund as reported in The Sentinel in its edition on February 5, 2020.

As revealed in the House, MLAs of the following 90 constituencies have not received the fund till date: Abhayapuri (North), Abhayapuri (South), Algapur, Amguri, Baghbar, Barama, Barhampur, Barkhetri, Batadrava, Baithalangchu, Bilasipara (West), Bihali, Bihpuria, Biswanath, Bokakhat, Bokajan, Boko, Bongaigaon, Borchalia, Chaigaon, Chapaguri, Chenga, Dalgaon, Dergaon, Dhakuakhana, Dharmapur, Dhemaji, Dhekiajuli, Dhing, Dhubri, Digboi, Diphu, Dispur, Doomdooma, Dudhnoi, Duliajan, Gauripur, Guwahati (East), Guwahati (West), Goalpara (West), Gohpur, Golaghat, Golokganj, Hailakandi, Hajo, Howraghat, Hojai, Jaleswar, Jamunamukh, Jonai, Jorhat, Kalaigaon, Kaliabor, Kamalpur, Katlichara, Khumtai, Lahowal, Lakhimpur, Lumding, Mahmora, Majuli, Mangaldoi, Mancachar, Margherita, Marioni, Mazbat, Nagaon, Naharkatia, Nalbari, Nowboicha, Paneri, Patherkandi, Raha, Rangapara, Rangia, Rupahihat, Sadiya, Samaguri, Sarupathar, Sarukhetri, Sivasagar, Sonari, Sootea, South Salmara, Tamulpur, Teok, Tezpur, Tinsukia, Titabor, and Udalguri.

It may be noted that the use of MLALAD funds for the development of infrastructure is under the prerogative of the MLAs. For sanctioning schemes with MLALAD funds, submission of utilization certificates (UCs) of the two previous fiscals – for 70 per cent funds of the immediately preceding year and 100 per cent fund of the year before the immediately preceding year – is a must.

However, sources informed that many deputy commissioners of the State have not yet submitted UCs of fiscals 2017-18 and 2018-19. And this has not only led to a delay in completion of the schemes of those two fiscals but also has its spillover effects in the schemes of fiscal 2019-20.

According to standing rules, the MLA concerned forms a construction committee for each and every scheme under MLALAD funds for infrastructure construction. The deputy commissioners are to monitor the construction of schemes taken up and also put pressure on the construction committees to ensure proper and timely completion of those schemes. The construction committees are to submit UCs to their respective deputy commissioners. However, neither the deputy commissioners nor most of the MLAs have been able to spot the weak point in this chain of responsibilities for proper and timely implementation of the MLALAD funds.

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