Home India Politics Opposition MPs say no to using MPLAD funds to better stations

Opposition MPs say no to using MPLAD funds to better stations

New Delhi : Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu Thursday seemed to have touched a raw nerve when he suggested that MPs use part of their development funds in improving facilities at railway stations.

“No no no…” almost all opposition MPs shouted when he made the suggestion.

Talking about making passenger amenities better as he presented the railway budget for 2015-16, he said: “I request all corporates, NGOs, charitable institutions and religious institutions to come forward and invest generously for passenger amenities from their CSR fund.

“I also request all MPs to use part of their MPLAD funds in improving facilities at railway stations.”

Immediately the entire opposition started shouting “no no no”. Some MPs even said that the government should increase the allocation in MPLAD (MP’s local area development) funds.

Opposition MPs had also protested when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked members of both houses to use funds from MPLADS to develop villages in their constituency.