Maharashtra Government has increased the Local Constituency Development Fund for legislators by Rs one crore over previous limit of Rs two crore citing increase in cost of construction materials over the year. The hike would be applicable from current financial year stated a notification issued by Planning Department on Monday. So all Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) as well as Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) would get the much needed booster to rollout more facilities in their respective constituencies.

 

Further one more good decision taken by State Government is ensuring that facilities created through funds provided by legislators would be earmarked for repairs and maintenance. This was one major lacuna as the assets created or facilities developed through local area development funds of legislators used to remain neglected for want of minor repairs and after few years they would get decayed due to not unable. This was a huge loss to public exchequer. But now the notification said that from the additional Rs. one crore, a 10 per cent amount is compulsory kept aside for maintenance works. That is a sum of Rs. 30 lakh from the Rs. three crores would now be at disposal of respective local administration to attend to minor rectification of the facilities created through public funds.

 

Similarly the Planning Department said the reserve funds can also be utilised for other priority repair works that remain languishing for wants of funds. The timely repair and tending of works taken-up through Government grants would enhance their usage and provide respite to citizens who otherwise tend to suffer. The decision of State Government is quite heartening but surprising given the fact that so far it started mopping up unutilised funds from annual grants to make-up for shortage of tax collection impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The hike in MLA/MLC constituency development funds might also indicate that State expects to tide over the COVID-19 impact. The notification about hike in constituency development fund mentions that most of time minor works like construction for additional rooms at schools, anganwadi centres, building of gymnasium, crematorium, bus stops, construction of latrines, affixing of paver blocs, small Kolhapuri barrages do not find mention in annual district plans. These works being of minor nature the funds requirement are also quite less and hence the provision would go long way in fulfilling the requirements of local residents also. The additional earmarking of Rs. one crores is a good move and for legislators also the enhanced allocation would enable them to try and fulfil demand from various quarters for smaller development initiatives. Given the size and voters presence in each of the constituencies the hike was very much necessary.