Andhra MLAs to get development fund of Rs 1cr

Andhra Pradesh MLAs will be allotted Rs 1 crore each towards area development fund on the lines of MPLAD Fund from the next Budget.

Accepting a demand from the MLAs, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said that the request of the legislators is being accepted tentatively and the rules for allotment of funds will be worked out.

Addressing a Congress Legislative Party meeting called here on Tuesday to coincide with the visit of AICC general secretary and incharge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh, the chief minister asked the legislators to spend the funds towards irrigation purposes.

Digvijay Singh, who is on a four-day visit to the state, during interaction with MLAs dwelt on many subjects including do's and don'ts and stressed the need for maintaining a continuous rapport with the rural masses.

The proposed coordination committee should be strengthened in order to see the implementation of the party's policies and programmes, he said, adding that there should be no interference in the administration by legislators.

The co-ordination committee will take up the issues being faced by the legislators to the government. "This will help in smooth functioning of the administration," he added.

Singh welcomed the talks with naxals and said that it should be handled carefully as it involved socio-economic problems.

Reiterating the party's stand on the Telangana issue, he said that the party will stick to the CWC's resolution on constituting a second state reorganisation commission.

He said that the five per cent reservations to Muslims is a commitment made by the party and would help the community grow economically and educationally.