RAMANATHAPURAM/SIVAGANGA
As disqualified MLAs, S. Muthiah and S. Mariappan Kennedy, who got elected from Paramakudi and Manamadurai Assembly constituencies respectively, could not utilise their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2017-18, a host of development works hang fire.
The duo are among the 18 MLAs to support T.T.V. Dhinakaran and face disqualification. However, the district administration has stepped in to take up some essential works. The enhanced CDF of ₹ 2.5 crore per constituency per year from 2017-18 remained unused with the Project Director of District of Rural Development Agency in Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts, officials said.
As the funds could be utilised only with the consent of the MLAs, though the Collector accorded administrative sanction, works identified by them could not be taken up, the officials said.
“The main objective of the scheme is to implement essential and priority works identified by us to bridge the critical infrastructure gaps,” the MLAs said, adding the two Dalit-dominated constituencies were orphaned after their “unjustified disqualification.”
The first instalment for 2018-19 under the scheme has also been sanctioned but it is lying unused. The district administration has stepped in to implement some of the essential works, using Infrastructure Gap Filling Fund available with the Collectors.
Dr. Muthiah said he felt bad that he could not utilise the fund to redress the grievances of people. After getting elected to the Assembly in 2016, he had identified 56 works and urged the government to implement them but none was implemented. The CDF would have come in handy to address water problems in Bogalur and Nainarkoil blocks, he said.
He had repeatedly urged the government to set up a blood bank, CT scan and Digital X-ray facilities at Paramakudi Government Hospital but the demand was ignored. He had made a plea to upgrade some of the schools in Nainarkoil and establish a hospital at Emaneswaram, but all his demands fell in deaf ears even before he had sided with Mr. Dhinakaran, he rued.
Mr. Kennedy said he wanted to provide better infrastructure to schools, libraries and anganwadis but could not do so. All developmental activities had come to a standstill in the constituency, he said. Alagappa University had promised to establish a constituent college but it did not happen, he added.
