Oppn protests any move to use MPLAD funds for Swachh Bharat mission

Govt clarifies that MPLAD Committee will take the final decision

Opposition parties including the Congress today strongly opposed any move to allow the MPs local area development (MPLAD) funds to be used for Swachh Bharat Mission, prompting the government to say that no decision has been taken in this regard.

Replying to a question on implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission in Lok Sabha, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu suggested that the House could discuss whether the MPLAD funds could be used for the special initiative.

This invited strong protests from opposition members, including Jyotiraditya Scindia and K C Venugopal (both Cong), who said they would not allow any such move.

When Dharamvir Gandhi (AAP) also protested on the issue, Naidu retorted "you have Gandhi in your name. You should take part in this mission also".

Naidu, however, made it clear that no such decision has been taken and his statement was just a suggestion. "Let the MPLAD Committee take a decision," he said.

An MP is entitled to Rs 5 crore every year to carry out various development initiatives in his or her constituency.

The Minister said the estimated cost of implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission (urban) for its various components was Rs 62,009 crore, of which Centre's share was Rs 14,623 crore.

Swachh Bharat Mission is a special cleanliness programme undertaken at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Naidu said a minimum additional amount equivalent to 25% of the central funding, worth Rs 4,874 crore, will be contributed by the states as urban bodies' share. It will be 10% in case of Northeast and special category states.

"The balance fund is proposed to be generated through various other sources such as private sector participation, additional resources from state governments, beneficiary share, corporate social responsibility, user charges, land leveraging, Swachh Bharat Kosh, market borrowing and external assistance," he said.