A PARLIAMENTARY panel is recommending an increase in the annual allocation towards the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme. This is completely unwarranted as this would burden the exchequer with Rs 8000 crores annually, instead of the present Rs 1600 crores.

This recommendation was made despite the fact, that an earlier Parliamentary panel, constituted after a TV sting caught parliamentarians taking bribes to approve schemes through the MPLAD funds, stated that the scheme has become a fount of corruption. Even the Lok Sabha speaker has demanded that it should be scrapped.

Many MPs have been found to be over generous with theses funds, especially in respect of their favourite organisations, even if these have nothing to do with public welfare. It may be recalled that trusts floated by the Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, were found to be generously funded by MPLAD allocation of Parliamentarians from the ruling party.

Our parliamentarians must have the capability to get work done for public welfare, from the existing administrative machinery including, wisely using the RTI Act, rather than taking such corrupt short cuts, from schemes that can be easily misused.