FEB 22,2021: NCP MP Supriya Sule has said the Centre has suspended the MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) fund scheme but is going ahead with the construction of a new Parliament building, which is not a necessity now in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing a party rally in Ambernath town of Thane district in Maharashtra on Sunday for the forthcoming civic polls here, Ms.Sule said the Union government is going to spend ₹800 crore to ₹1,000 crore on the Central Vista project.
“We did not not ask for it. It is not a necessity now in this pandemic period. If they had constructed a hospital and cut our funds for five years (for such purpose), I would have gladly given it,” said the Lok Sabha member from Baramati in Maharashtra.
The Union Cabinet last year approved temporary suspension of the MPLAD fund scheme during 2020-21 and 2021- 22, to use the funds for managing health services and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
