Increase in budget under MLALAD Scheme, provision of Rs 144.01 crore for current fiscal

·                 Rs 74.84 crore released to the districts in two installments

·                 Repair of retaining and breast walls and channelization

The state government is taking concrete steps to accelerate the pace of development in the rural belts. Under the MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLALAD) Scheme, which was started with the aim of strengthening the decentralized process, the government has increased its budget. Keeping in mind the losses caused due to heavy rains in the state this year, the government has made necessary amendments to the scheme as well.

A provision of Rs. 2.10 crore per constituency has been made under this scheme for the financial year 2023-24. For this, a budget provision of Rs. 144.01 crore has been made for the current financial year, out of which Rs. 74.84 crore has been released to the districts in two instalments till October 2023. In view of the damage caused due to heavy rains, the government has amended the guidelines of this scheme. Giving it a comprehensive form, provision has also been made for repair of retaining and breast walls and channelization of rivulets and seasonal nullahas.

As per year-wise data, Rs. 97.98 crore was allocated under this scheme in the year 2019-20. Similarly, Rs. 32.66 crore was allocated in the year 2020-21, Rs. 122.40 crore in 2021-22 and Rs. 103.34 crore in the year 2022-23. The present state government has increased the MLA Local Area Development Fund by about Rs. 41 crore this year.

Under the Scheme, construction of classrooms, Ayurvedic dispensaries, veterinary dispensaries, health sub-centres, general community buildings at the rural level, link roads, installation of hand pumps and other various works can be done. Construction of small bridges and culverts for rural roads, footbridges, construction of concrete based or black-top rural roads, drinking water schemes for left-out settlements, local level irrigation schemes, toilets in schools, public toilets and bathrooms at places like bus stands etc. will be undertaken under the scheme.

Electrification of houses in the remote and rural areas, repair of school buildings and construction of sports grounds can also be done under this scheme. Apart from this, works like providing facility of gyms in Panchayats and urban local bodies, construction and maintenance of bus stands, repair of specific government buildings in urban and rural areas, repair and maintenance of roads in these areas, installation of community Wi-Fi, children’s seating material in schools under public welfare schemes, sports material, beds and blankets in hospitals, replacement of motor pumps for water distribution are also included in this.

There is also a provision for utensils and furniture for registered Mahila Mandals, sports equipment for Yuvak Mandals and material for self-help groups with a maximum grant of Rs. 50 thousand per Mandal or group. Entry Gates in the name of martyrs can also be constructed under this scheme to commemorate the sacrifice of martyrs.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was determined to ensure that the benefits of development schemes reach till the last person in the queue. Proper allocation of budget for development works and welfare schemes has been ensured through MLAs at the rural level. To compensate for the damage caused due to heavy rains, the government has tried to provide relief to the people by amending the MLA Local Area Development Fund for this year