[Assam] Unused MLALAD funds to go to State exchequer(The Sentinel, 15.10.2007)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Unused MLALAD funds to go to State exchequer
Not a single paisa of MLALAD funds was used during the fiscal 2006-07 in Dholai, Baitholangshu, Majuli, Dergaon, Jorhat, Bijni, Sidli and Dhemaji LACs 
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 14: Massive “underutilization” and “unutilization” of cash released by the Planning and Development Department of the Asom Government as MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds over the years has prompted the State Government to think to make the non-lapsable MLALAD funds lapsable i.e. introducing the system of the taking the unused money of the MLALAD funds back to the State exchequer. Besides exposing the lack of commitment on the part of the elected representatives of the State towards the development of their respective Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs), “underutilization” and “unutilization” of the released cash failed the very purpose of the MLALAD funds which had been introduced in the State by then Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia in 1994.
According sources, the Additional Chief Secretary in-charge of P & D Department has prepared a note stating that the unused MLALAD funds will go back to the State exchequer. However, the Additional Chief secretary’s note is yet to be approved by the Chief Minister. The system prevalent at present is that the unused MLALAD funds are released for developmental schemes of the constituencies in the following financial year.
According to sources, from fiscal 2002-03 to 2006-07, the State Government released Rs 17,640 lakh as MLALAD funds, but Rs 3343.42 lakh of this amount remained unused. In the fiscal 2006-07 alone, the State Government released Rs 3,780 lakh as MLALAD funds for its 126 Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs), but Rs 1283.42 lakh of the amount remained unused. The worst is that not a single paisa of MLALAD funds was used during the fiscal 2006-07 in Dholai, Baitholangshu, Majuli, Dergaon, Jorhat, Bijni, Sidli and Dhemaji LACs. 
Meanwhile, the P & D Department recently informed the district administration that Rs 3,150 lakh was released for the 126 LACs of the State at the rate of Rs 25 lakh per LAC as the first instalment of the MLALAD fund for the fiscal 2007-08. The department, however, made it clear to the deputy commissioners that all pending schemes up to 2006-07 have to be implemented as per the standing guidelines, and the entire amount released by December 31, 2007 has to be used. “If any funds of the previous years remain unused, that may be surrendered and deposited in the State exchequer,” the P & D Department said, and added: “The deputy commissioners should furnish the reports of completion of works along with unutilization certificates in respect of MLALAD funds to it in due course.”
   
   (The Sentinel,15.10.2007)



       
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