MPs in quandary: Lawmakers yet to donate MPLAD funds to coronavirus relief

MPs say there is pressure from their constituents to distribute personal protective equipment in hospitals in their constituencies

After appeals by Vice-President 

M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to all the Members of Parliament to contribute at least Rs 1 crore each from their respective MPLAD (MP Local Area Development) funds to the central pool for the fight against coronavirus, just around 250 MPs had given their consent to make such a contribution till March 30. Rajya Sabha Secretary P P K Ramacharyulu said this during a meeting on Tuesday. There are more than 780 MPs in the Houses together. Of them, many Opposition MPs wanted to donate