Delhi cabinet ups MLA LAD funds(Lead)

New Delhi : The Delhi cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to increase the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund to Rs 10 crore per year per assembly from Rs 4 crore.

"The MLAs used to come to us for small things due to lack of funds. Now they don't have to run around," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told the Delhi Assembly.

The LAD is a fund given to MLAs to execute various works in their constituency.

Modelled on the Member of Parliament LAD scheme, an MLA in Delhi received Rs 4 crore in a year under the LAD scheme, started in 1994.

"From this year, the fund given will be Rs 10 crore," Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain told the House.

Later, speaking to media outside the Assembly, Sisodia said the step will help in best utilisation of the money.

"The utilisation of these funds is purely at the discretion of MLAs. It is first of its kind in the country. Our government wants to ensure local development through MLAs," he said.