Uproar in Lok Sabha over MPLADS fund hike

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed an uproar over Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) as Congress members demanded to know why the scheme fund not being hiked as proposed by a House committee.

Soon after MPLADS Committee Chairman M. Thambidurai presented the report on proposals for new provisions in scheme guidelines, Congress member K.C. Venugopal sought to know why the fund is not hiked despite Committee's recommendations.

"What is the purpose of the report? MPLAD fund is not being hiked," he said.

He also got support from other members, who sought a clarification from the government over the issue.

The stand of agitated members prompted Thambidurai to say that the government has to come forward over the issue.

"As Chairman of the Committee, I have already recommended requesting the government to see that Rs. 25 crore is given annually. That is what I had recommended. Let the government respond to that," he said.

Meanwhile, the Committee has recommended to explore ways and means to provide hearing aids to the persons hard of hearing and make a provision for the same in MPLADS. It also said that repair and renovation may remain as a prohibited item under MPLADS.