In 5 years, 3 Bengaluru MPs spent Rs 55 crore for constituencies: Citizens’ group report

The key findings of the report show that out of the Rs 55.88 crore recommended by the three MPs, Rs 23.47 crore (42.67 per cent) was spent on public infrastructure development, Rs 16.03 crore (29.15 per cent) was spent on drinking water and sanitation, and Rs 7.27 crore (13.22 per cent) on education.

According to the report, Gowda recorded 63 per cent attendance and raised zero questions in Parliament. Gowda briefly served as Cabinet minister from May 30, 2019, to July 7, 2021, and ministers who represent the government in debates do not sign the attendance register, ask questions, or introduce private member bills. Meanwhile, Surya recorded an attendance of 78 per cent and raised 382 questions, and Mohan recorded an attendance of 82 per cent and raised 189 questions in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Here are some of the other key findings of the report for the three constituencies:

Bengaluru North

MP Sadananda Gowda recommended Rs 18.69 crore for his constituency and of this, Rs 9.18 crore was allocated for public infrastructure development and Rs 6.38 crore for drinking water and sanitation works. The Assembly constituency under the MP that received the most funding is Yeshwanthpur (Rs 6 crore). In the five-year term, it was during the 2022-2023 period that the highest amount of Rs 4.35 crore (23 per cent) was recommended for works.

Bengaluru Central

A total of Rs 17.97 crore was recommended by MP P C Mohan and drinking water and sanitation works were allocated the most funds, Rs 6.58 crore (36 per cent). Public infrastructure development works were allocated the second highest funds at Rs 5.42 crore (30.46 per cent). The Assembly constituency under the MP that received the most funding was Chamarajpet (Rs 3.73 crore). During 2022-2023, the highest amount of Rs 3.42 crore (19 per cent) was recommended for works.

Bengaluru South

MP Tejasvi Surya recommended a total of Rs 19.36 crore, of which the most funds, Rs 8.86 crore (45.76 per cent), were allocated for public infrastructure development. The second highest funds, Rs 3.79 crore (19.58 per cent), were allocated for health and family welfare. The Assembly constituencies under Surya that received the most funding are Basavanagudi (Rs 4.33 crore) and Jayanagar (Rs 4.32 crore). The highest amount recommended for works during the five-year term was Rs 2.83 crore (14 per cent) during 2022-2023.

The B.PAC study

According to B.PAC, the study aims to analyse the utilization level of MPLAD funds in the three parliamentary constituencies under Bangalore Urban district – Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South and Bengaluru Central. The data on works undertaken under MPLADS is collected from the district collector’s office. The data was collected for the financial years from 2019 to 24.

In the wake of the COVID pandemic, MPLADS was suspended from April 6, 2020, to November 9, 2021, and no funds were allocated to the scheme for the financial year 2020-21. For 2021-22, i.e., from November 10, 2021, to March 31, 2022, Rs 2 crore was allocated under the scheme for each MP. As a result, each constituency got Rs 17 crore in the last five years, plus additional funds carried over from the 16th Lok Sabha, along with interest.