As their “exams” are approaching, the Lok Sabha member representing the State can breathe easy. Most of the MPs have scored well and passed with distinction in terms of utilisation of the fund coming under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme knows as MPLADS.

Notable here is to mention that two of the representatives have even gone on spending over and above the fund sanctioned to them by the Government. The funds are meant to be spent in building assets for the use of the people and also to improve amenities for them.

Hazaribagh Lok Sabha MP Jayant Sinha has spent 105.40 per cent of the sanctioned Rs 20 crore, whereas his companion from Rajmahal, Vijay Kumar Hansdak, clocked 103.52 per cent of Rs 17.50 crore released. The excess is the amount accumulated in the form of the interest earned over the MPLAD fund released and deposited.

Not far away is Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato who scored 98.14 per cent closely followed by Laxman Gilua of Singhbhum and Shibu Soren of Dumka who figured into nineties.

The members have managed to utilise 91.61 per cent and 91.49 per cent.

Five Lok Sabha MPs are in 80s as far as their percentages of expenditure are concerned and two—PN Singh of Dhanbad and Sunil Kumar Singh of Chatra- fall in the 70 per cent bracket. Both the BJP members have spent 77.27 per cent and 76.45 per cent of the Rs 22 crore and Rs 20 crore released respectively.

Worst amongst the list of 14 is Nishi Kant Dubey from Godda who could manage meager 57.61 per cent spending out of Rs 7.50 crore released and Rs 7.71 crore available with interest for utilisation.

Moreover the fund has been used mainly for building PCC roads, guard-walls, drainage constructions and construction of Chatth ghats. “We recommend MPLAD funds as per the demand and need of the locals. In most of the cases people have to face fund crunch for building roads and other basic amenities. Some proposals also come for bigger projects like canal or reservoir which are pending,” said an MP requesting anonymity. The Godda MP however could not be reached for his comments.

The performance holds importance especially during the poll year since the voters of the constituency judge their leaders on the basis of their local activities very prominently along with the raising issues in parliament and the legislative stands their respective parties take.