Hearing a PIL pertaining to misuse of MPLAD funds by Union Minister Smriti Irani, the Gujarat High Court on Thursday, March 14 reportedly directed the state government to give details on recovery of money from the various implementing agencies that were sanctioned development funds. The bench also sought details from the government on the investigation conducted so far.
Per a PTI report, on being informed by the government attorney that in February 2018 the district collector had issued an order to recover over Rs 4 crore from the implementing agency accused of having received Irani’s MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds, the Gujarat HC bench insisted on asked for the details of the amount recovered by the government so far.
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The PIL filed in 2017 by Amit Chavda, Gujarat Congress chief and MLA from Anklav constituency in Anand, reportedly demands an FIR registered against Irani and formulation of a high-level committee to investigate.
An MP receives Rs 5 crore annually as MPLAD, which is released directly to the district authority of the nodal district of the MP.
In his PIL based on a Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) report from 2018, Chavda alleged that Irani induced in corruption along with “other state and non-state actors.”
Going against the MPLAD guidelines, particularly clauses 2.5.1 and 2.11, The Union Textiles Minister had sanctioned money to carefully selected implementing agencies, above the ceiling of Rs 50 lakh as mandated in clause 2.5.1. The second clause specifies that states that an MP is not supposed to choose the impending agency, which too, Irani allegedly violated. The alleged misappropriation of funds has been taken note of by the CAG and the district collector, PTI reported.
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The report added that the matter is now due to be heard on March 26 in the Gujarat HC, when the government has to respond to the queries of the court.
On Thursday, the Congress party cited the CAG report of 2018 and demanded that Irani be sacked.