Madurai Member of Parliament Su Venkatesan officially opened ten new public infrastructure projects on Monday. These initiatives, completed under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), represent a total investment of Rs 67.5 lakh.
MP Highlights Funding Shortfall for Development
During the inauguration event, Venkatesan voiced a significant concern regarding the financial resources available under the MPLADS scheme. He stated that the allocated funds are insufficient to address the needs of his constituents. The MP pointed out a stark comparison, noting that the Rs 5 crore annual allocation under MPLADS is substantially lower than the funds available through the MLA's Constituency Development Scheme (MLACDS).
"I am the representative for six assembly constituencies, and Rs 5 crore is not enough to respond to the demands of one constituency," Su Venkatesan remarked, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
Details of the Newly Inaugurated Projects
The ten projects inaugurated are spread across various wards in Madurai and are aimed at improving civic amenities and public health infrastructure. The key projects include:
- New toilet blocks at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Ward 23.
- A workshop facility at the STC in Ellis Nagar, located in Ward 59.
- A dedicated nutrition centre for the Balarengapuram Government Hospital in Ward 44.
- Two new ration shops established in Ward 54 to serve the local community.
A Second Wave of Inaugurations Planned
The MP also announced a follow-up series of project openings scheduled for the immediate future. He revealed that over the next two days, an additional 14 projects implemented with Rs 97 lakh from the MPLADS fund will be inaugurated across different parts of Madurai city. This indicates a continued push to utilize the scheme's funds for local development despite the highlighted constraints.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Madurai Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, Deputy Mayor T Nagarajan, and local MLAs, signifying the collaborative nature of the development efforts.
The event has sparked a conversation about the adequacy of central funds for constituency-level development, especially in comparison to state-level allocations. The newly opened facilities are expected to provide direct benefits to residents in terms of improved sanitation, healthcare support, and access to essential goods.
