DSC_7438.JPG

Public Money, Private Agenda – The Use and Abuse of MPLADS, a book written by Dr.A.Surya Prakash, Distinguished Fellow, VIF was launched at an impressive function at the VIF by Mr.Shivraj Patil, the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab on Aug 22, 2013. The former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr.Purno Sangma presided over the function. Mr.Kishore Chandra Deo, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs and Mr.Arun Shourie, former Union Minister spoke on the book.

The event was attended by many distinguished parliamentarians including Mr. Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of Science and Technology; Dr.Subramanian Swamy, Mr.Venkaiah Naidu; Mr.Saugata Roy and Mr.D.P.Tripathi.

The book takes a comprehensive look at the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which was launched twenty years ago in 1993. The scheme began with an allocation of Rs one crore per annum per MP. It has now been raised to Rs 5 crore.

Mr.Patil said that although there were deficiencies in the implementation of MPLADS, the scheme should not be scrapped. Mr.Kishore Chandra Deo, who is a veteran parliamentarian, also spoke of the efficacy of the scheme in meeting local needs of the people. Mr.Arun Shourie expressed concern over misuse of these funds and allegations of corruption and said the scheme should be scrapped. Mr.Sangma said Mr.Surya Prakash’s book provides the first comprehensive, independent and incisive analysis of this scheme. Mr.Ajit Doval, Director VIF and Mr.Kapish Mehra, Managing Director, RUPA Publishers, spoke on the occasion.