Plan panel rejectsdemand to increase MPLAD funds

The Planning Commission has rejected the proposal to increase allocation under the Local Area Development (LAD) fund scheme for Ministers of Parliament (MP) from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore, citing fiscal constraints for the government, especially for its flagship schemes.The government is currently running 15 flagship schemes to improve economic conditions of the poor. The rejection is seen as the Plan panel’s distrust in the MPs’ ability to undertake developmental work.In June 2…