Uttar Pradesh Dominates Out-of-State MPLADS Funding

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a significant beneficiary of out-of-state Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds, with a staggering 84% allocation from this pool. An analysis has identified that only 21 MPs, including two from the Lok Sabha, accounted for the entire out-of-state spending within this scheme.

The analysis indicates that more than ₹18 crore was spent on various works completed based on these MPs' recommendations. Notably, among the 530 MPs with available data on completed works, these 21 representatives exclusively directed funds outside their designated areas, while the remaining MPs utilized their MPLADS allocations within their respective constituencies.

Controversies and Reactions

Critics, including members from the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), have expressed concern regarding the substantial MPLADS spending in Uttar Pradesh. The analysis spans approximately 21,000 completed works between 2023 and 2026, with data sourced from the Empowered Indian MPLADS dashboard and verified through official channels.

Typically, Lok Sabha MPs can recommend projects within their constituency's district, while Rajya Sabha MPs are limited to their elected state's boundaries. Nominated MPs enjoy broader discretion, allowing them to recommend works anywhere in India. The MPLADS policy permits MPs to propose up to ₹50 lakh annually outside their usual regions, a limit recently increased from ₹25 lakh.

Key Contributors

Among the 21 MPs engaging in out-of-state funding, only two hail from the Lok Sabha. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, a BJP MP from Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal, allocated ₹49,96,274 for footpath and pedestrian infrastructure in Agra. This amount represents over half of her total MPLADS expenditure of ₹87.4 lakh. Shah declined to comment when approached for further insights.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh MP Kirti Vardhan Singh directed ₹10 lakh towards a protective structure in Nagaland. Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Mhalu Shet Tanavade from Goa allocated ₹48.6 lakh for street lighting in Shahjahanpur, constituting 27% of his overall spending.

Another notable case is Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasiya from Rajasthan, who spent ₹98 lakh on LED lights across two Uttar Pradesh districts, accounting for 80% of his MPLADS budget. Garasiya, who was elected in April 2024, stated he couldn't recall specific details of his funding recommendations, attributing them to his private secretary's management.

Sarfraz Ahmad, a Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, directed ₹92.03 lakh for LED lights and road construction in Agra and Pilibhit, marking a rare instance of significant out-of-state spending by a regional party member. In his own words, Ahmad emphasized his entitlement as an MP to recommend MPLADS funds beyond his home state.

Funding Disparities and Trends

Other Rajya Sabha MPs, including BJP’s Rajendra Gehlot and Congress’s Pramod Tiwari from Rajasthan, as well as BJP’s Satish Chandra Dubey from Bihar, have also contributed funds for projects in Uttar Pradesh, collectively amounting to around ₹75 lakh.

While Uttar Pradesh receives the lion's share of MPLADS funds due to its substantial representation in Parliament, the disproportionate allocation of out-of-state spending raises questions about priorities and regional equity. For instance, J&K, where MP Gulam Ali Khatana holds a permanent residence, received only 0.6% of the total MPLADS funds utilized, despite Khatana directing nearly ₹12 crore to Uttar Pradesh, which constitutes over 95% of his MPLADS expenses.

This trend underscores a broader issue where MPs from regions with lower per capita incomes send significant portions of their MPLADS funds to Uttar Pradesh, which already benefits from a larger share of the scheme. As the analysis shows, Uttar Pradesh accounted for 26% of all completed works between 2023 and 2026, with a considerable portion of utilized funds directed there.

In conclusion, the pattern of MPLADS allocations highlights the complexities of regional funding dynamics in India, raising essential questions about accountability, representation, and the equitable distribution of resources.

Source: Thehindu News