Lokayutka probe into MLA fund an interference: House

The Congress leader alleged that such suggestion by the Lokayukta was an act of infringement on the rights of the legislature. The House should,therefore,pass the resolution opposing the move of the Lokayukta and even ask the Constitutional body not to interfere in the internal matters of the legislature,he added.

In UP,each MLA gets Rs 1.25 crore under Vidhayak Nidhi for developing his constituency. The Rural Development Department regulates the expenditure regarding the fund.

In the past,there have been instances when MLAs have sanctioned grants from Vidhayak Nidhi for institutions run by them or their family members. Lokayukta Justice (retd) N K Mehrotra is conducting investigations into alleged misuse of Vidhyak Nidhi by two ministers. He had recently summoned officials of the Rural Development Department to testify whether the disbursal of funds from Vidhayak Nidhi to a private institution was in violation of the guidelines. However,the resolution gave a different twist to the matter and sought to turn it into an issue of interference in the Assembly’s internal matters.

Didn’t ask govt to amend guidelines: Lokayukta

Lokayukta N K Mehrotra has clarified that he had not made any suggestion to the state government for amending the guidelines for disbursal from Vidhyak Nidhi. “I had only summoned officials of the Rural Development Department to ascertain the stand of the state government on the disbursal of funds from Vidhyak Nidhi by the ministers to private educational institutions run by them and their family members,” he said. “I have asked for the file where the rules for the Vidhyak Nidhi were framed and approved by the government,” he added. Mehrotra said that he was conducting investigation into complaints filed against Minister for Secondary Education Rangnath Mishra and Minister of State for Minority and Haj Affairs Anees Ahmed.