Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Aug 31: The central government has been releasing funds under MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) every year. The MPs are expected to implement the schemes by making use of these funds by approving projects and coordinating their implementation with district administrations.

It is learnt that although many schemes and development projects are not moving ahead for want of funds, members of parliament have not utilized funds to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore since the year 2004. As far as non-utilization of these funds is concerned, MPs from Uttar Pradesh take the cake. The second to fourth spots are occupied by members of parliament from Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in that order.

In Karnataka, Rs 269 crore released under the term of the current Lok Sabha has not been spent. Since the year 2014 when the current Lok Sabha came into being, a sum of Rs 2,403 crore had been released under the said scheme. In comparison, Rs 693 crore out of Rs 6,882 crore released for Uttar Pradesh has not been used.

As projects under the same need to be backed by proper documents and good quality work, it is felt that substandard work and failure to provide documentary proof would have been responsible for the funds to remain without being utilized.

If the amount released under the current Lok Sabha period alone is taken into consideration, Maharashtra has not spent RS 427 crore, Bihar has kept pending Rs 343 crore and Rajasthan has pending amount of Rs 278 crore.