MLAs doubt utilisation

ALTHOUGH CHIEF Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, today, accepted the long-pending demand of legislators to increase the amount of the Vidhayak Nidhi from Rs one crore to Rs 1.25 crore, the ?beneficiaries? are in doubt, whether, they would be able to ?utilise? the money in the remaining part of their tenure as MLA.

ALTHOUGH CHIEF Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, today, accepted the long-pending demand of legislators to increase the amount of the Vidhayak Nidhi from Rs one crore to Rs 1.25 crore, the ‘beneficiaries’ are in doubt, whether, they would be able to ‘utilise’ the money in the remaining part of their tenure as MLA.

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Reasons for MLAs’ suspicion and concern: The Chief Minister has announced the hike without making any budgetary provision for the same, as it has not been mentioned even in the supplementary budget, which was passed in the current session, which ended today.

In all probabilities, this was the last session of the Assembly, as the State is expected to go to the poll soon.

Even after the best efforts of the Chief Minister, the money would not be released before January or February and by then, the election Code of Conduct is likely to be enforced for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections.

The announcement, under these circumstances, would be a headache for the next government, which might succeed the Mulayam Government after the elections.

The possibilities of the next government refusing to increase the Vidhayak Nidhi also could not be ruled out, as it would have to mobilise resources for the purpose but credit for the same would go to Mulayam Singh Yadav.