MPLAD SCHEME’S FATE HANGING IN SUPREME COURT-Shantaram Naik

The fate of Members of Parliament Area Development Scheme is hanging in Supreme Court of India where its validity has been challenged on grounds that the scheme violates constitutional mechanism of allotment of finances and hence, unfortunately, we have to keep our fingers crossed and await for the judgement, which has been reserved by the court,said Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. at Molcornem on thrusday. Inaugurating a community hall project at Molcopon, Molcornem constructed for the beneficiary, Village Panchayat of Molcornem, at a cost of Rs 22 lakhs.

Mr Naik further said that in case the scheme is struck down by the Supreme Court, the government may have to bring in constitutional amendment to save the scheme.

Mr Naik also said that government is likely to consider the enhancement of the quantum of Rs. 2 crores to 5 crores, per annum, if the committee studying the matter makes a favourable recommendation, which again, is subject to court's decision.

He said that MPLAD Scheme is one of the biggest scheme gifted by the Congress government to the nation during the Prime Ministership of late Shri Naracinha Rao. Mr Naik said the Schemes emphasizes taking up projects in tribal areas and, Molcornem and surrounding areas being predonimently tribals areas, he was more than happy to serve the people of the communities. Mr Naik said that certain stringent clauses in the MPLAD scheme are required to be modified , and that, MPs should be at liberty to allot at least 2% of their total funds, in cash to the victims of natural calamities or people in distress and said that he proposes to take up the issue with the Central Government.

Shri Chandrakant Kavlekar, MLA of Quepem profusely thanked Mr Naik for acceding to his request to construct a community hall for the benefit of the people in a remote area of his constituency. Zilla Panchayat Member Shri Subhash Phal Desai, President of Quepem Block Congress Committee Shri Khushali Velip, Sarpanch of Molcornem Shri Khushali Mallik also spoke on the occatiom, Sarpanch, despite being a member of BJP was in tears while thanking Shri Naik.

Shri Altinho Gomes, General Secretary of GPCC was also present. Secretary of the Molcornem Panchayat Shri Umesh Malkarnekar welcomed the gathering while Shri Shanker Mallik proposed a vote of thanks.