CM Allocates ₹50 Crore Per MLA for Development, Plans July 30-31 Legislators’ Meeting

Quick Summary

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approved ₹50 crore in development grants for each Congress MLA in Karnataka.
• Grant allocation plan:

– ₹37.5 crore for roads and bridge works under the Public Works Department, including rural and urban areas.
– ₹12.5 crore for other departmental works identified by MLAs locally.

• funds will be drawn from the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Programme, which has a budget of ₹8,000 crore for FY 2025-26.
• The move comes after internal party pressure over delayed financial support and complaints from MLAs about fund shortages affecting local development projects.
• congress MLA Raju Kage had previously criticized delays in constituency projects and threatened to resign over fund denial issues.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Siddaramaiah’s decision to allocate significant funds-₹50 crore per legislator-for infrastructure reflects an intent to address discontent within the ruling party while bridging gaps in local developmental priorities. By explicitly focusing on essential sectors like roads, bridges, and localized projects through MLA discretion, this initiative hybridizes central oversight with decentralized autonomy.

From a governance perspective,leveraging budgets strategically during mid-term reaffirms political commitment toward grassroots accountability while boosting Congress’ position before civic elections. Though, implementing these allocations transparently will test administrative efficiencies amid Karnataka’s longstanding concerns about corruption risks tied to large-scale public spending programs.This dual impact-strengthening party unity internally while bolstering public image externally-brings both immediate benefits politically but poses challenges requiring vigilant monitoring as funds are dispersed district-wise.

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