The Hindu Business Line : AP: MLAs to get Rs 50 lakh each for developmental works

The State Government has decided to set apart Rs 50 lakh for each of the 294 legislators in the State Assembly every year to take up developmental works of their choice.

The legislators will have the complete freedom in identification and administrative sanction. Wherever it is not feasible to execute a work, the officials should convey it to the legislator concerned and to the Chairman of District Review Committee. In such cases, the latter would have the right to take a final decision.

The ACLP (Assembly Constituency Level Procedure), which has been revived, after more than a decade, allows the legislators to pick works worth Rs 50 lakh in a year and submit his ideas to the district collector. The collector, in turn, will get these works done.

A Government Order has been issued comprising the dos and don'ts. Incidentally, the GO gives reasons for allotting the amount. "Though there are a number of departments to take up works to improve roads and provide drinking water, it is found that some critical areas are overlooked due to "inherent administrative constraints," it said.

"The Government has decided to launch the programme to overcome these gaps and to fulfil the immediate requirements of the people," it said.

The GO, however, has put several riders, keeping in mind the scope for misuse.

All the assets created under the scheme would be owned by the Government. None can sell or transfer the ownership of such assets without approval from the Planning Department.

Most importantly, no ACLP work can be taken up on private lands. Works proposed should be fully funded through ACLP without adding additional liability to the Government. Works once recommended by the legislator and sanctioned thereafter will not be cancelled if the execution of the work has already been commenced.

The onus of maintaining a Constituency-wise asset creation register is on the district authorities. They should also maintain separate cashbooks and accounts for the money spent on various works for each MLA. The unutilised funds, if any, can be carried forward.

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