Suspension of MPLAD funds: It's a ploy to prevent MPs from fulfilling their promises, Thirunavukkarasar says

CHENNAI: Congress Lok Sabha member S Thirunavukkarasar on Tuesday attacked the Centre for its unilateral decision to suspend Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds for two years. He, however, welcomed the decision to effect a 30% cut in allowances and perks of MPs for a period of one year.

“MPLAD funds help parliamentary members to fulfil the requests of the members of the public in their respective constituencies. The Centre’s unilateral decision, taken without consulting the MPs, is dictatorial in nature,” said Thirunavukkarasar, while slamming the Centre over the move.

“The Centre can spend not just Rs 7,000 crore, even Rs 70,000 crore towards fighting Covid-19 . But, depriving MPs of their MPLADs funds is a ploy to prevent them from fulfilling their electoral promises,” Thirunavukkarasar said in a statement.