Gujarat MPs in Lok Sabha

Gujarat’s members of parliament (MPs) have been unable to utilise their allocated funds on time, purportedly due to the state government’s negligence.

Notably, out of 26 MPs, 22 have carried out various works within their constituencies, but a total of ₹222 cr has not been released by the central government since Mar 31, 2023. Only ₹220 cr has been released this term.

Under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) run by the central government, each MP is allocated ₹5 cr annually to spend on local development projects.

For the current Lok Sabha term, Gujarat’s MPs were allocated individual funds to the tune of ₹17 cr each by the central government. Of which, only ₹7 to ₹9 cr have managed to utilise their funds.

The least amount, ₹5 cr, has been released for Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya, which is ₹2 cr to ₹4 cr less than the remaining MPs.

According to updates on the MPLAD website as of Apr 5, Gujarat’s 18 MPs still have pending fund instalments from 2022. Eight MPs face delayed releases for the term 2023–24.

Lack of fund release in Gujarat

Reasons for the fund’s delayed release include the state government’s failure to submit progress reports and utilisation certificates on time.

MPs are reportedly unable to carry out development work in their constituencies due to the lack of timely fund releases.

The highest pending fund allocation of ₹12 cr belongs to Rajkot MP Kundariya, while MPs such as Bharti Shiyal from Bhavnagar, Jasvantsinh Bhabhor from Dahod, Dr KC Patel from Valsad, Mahendra Munjapara from Surendranagar, Prabhu Vasava from Bardoli, Rajesh Chudasama from Junagadh, Ratansinh Rathod from Panchmahal, and Sharda Patel from Mehsana have pending funds of ₹10 cr.

Other MPs await fund releases of ₹7.5 cr.

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