T.N. to pool ₹1 crore each from MLACDS funds

Money to be spent to fight COVID-19

08/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

A day after the Centre promulgated an ordinance suspending MPLADS for two years, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday said he had ordered pooling of ₹1 crore each from the MLA Constituency Development Scheme (MLACDS) funds of all legislators towards precautionary and relief measures being taken against COVID-19.

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami said ₹1 crore from each MLACDS fund would be used to meet the expenses incurred in the fight against COVID-19.

The Chief Minister’s statement came shortly after DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin tweeted, alleging that funds allotted by DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji were being turned down by the district administration.

The Chief Minister clarified that the funds were to be integrated at the district and State levels and spent on the fight against COVID-19.

Speaking to The Hindu, a DMK MLA said: “When the entire State is facing the threat of novel coronavirus, how can the government take away the already paltry funds allotted to us?”