The district-level bodies set up by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in 2015 to help coordinate work between various development agencies will no longer handle the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds.
MLAs express concern
The move came after several AAP MLAs expressed concern over the working of the District Urban Development Agencies (DUDA) during an Assembly session on Wednesday, prompting Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain to admit that there were problems. “There have been complaints. The funds would reverse to the UD Department,” Mr. Jain said, referring to the MLALAD funds given to the DUDAs.
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DUDAs causing delays
The DUDAs were set up to carry out infrastructure projects using MLALAD funds, as well as funds from other government schemes. The government had said these agencies would help decentralise the work of approving projects.
According to the MLAs, the DUDAs have led to delays in disbursing funds for approved projects. Sadar Bazar MLA Som Dutt said that MLALAD-funded works had stalled with no funds being disbursed in this financial year.
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As per a July 16, 2015, order, each DUDA was supposed to have a governing council chaired by the District Magistrate, with members including additional district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates, and representatives of the PWD, the municipal corporations, and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.