Bandi Sanjay says 94% MPLADS funds already committed - The HinduUpdated - September 01, 2026 08:35 pm IST - HYDERABADBandi Sanjay KumarUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has rejected a report by the Empowered Indian organisation that alleged MPs were lagging in utilising funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). He termed the report “misleading” and said it failed to take into account the progress of works and the approval process involved in implementing MPLADS projects.Citing his Karimnagar parliamentary constituency as an example, he claimed ₹17.50 crore had been allocated under MPLADS for the 18th Lok Sabha, of which works worth ₹16.47 crore, or 94.1%, had already been taken up. Over the last three years, he had submitted 627 proposals to District Collectors based on public requests for community halls, borewells, high-mast lights and CC roads. These included 313 proposals from Karimnagar district, 39 from Hanamkonda, 45 from Jagtial, 151 from Rajanna Sircilla and 79 from Siddipet.According to the Minister, District Collectors have approved 82.29% of the proposals, while the remaining are under consideration. He argued that MPLADS utilisation should be assessed by considering the entire process, from proposal submission and administrative approvals to execution and completion of works.Mr. Sanjay Kumar also said he utilised ₹2.5 crore of unspent MPLADS funds left by former Karimnagar MP Boinpally Vinod Kumar during his tenure. But, he said that the funds provided annually were inadequate to address growing local development needs and MPs had repeatedly urged the Centre to increase allocations.The Minister noted that seven months still remain in the current financial year, yet no MPLADS funds are pending with him as all eligible proposals have already been forwarded to district authorities. He also said efforts were being made to mobilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to meet additional local development requirements, according to a press release.Urging a more balanced assessment, Bandi Sanjay called on the organisation to consider every stage of the MPLADS implementation process before drawing conclusions on fund utilisation.Published - September 01, 2026 08:32 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }