In MPs8217; dictionary, development means building temples

The CAG auditors suspect that the amount actually spent on religious places would be much more than the figure of Rs 58.75 lakh 8212; a sum for which they managed to get records and documents. The bulk of the amount 8212; Rs 24.09 lakh 8212; wasrecommended by Congress MP Santosh Mohan Dev from Tripura on 14 works in Tripura West which included construction at the Manipuri Nath mandir in Radhnagar. Construction was allowed at Mahamuni Tilla Buddhist temple complex in Tripura South at a cost of Rs 1.55 lakh.

The BJP MP from Almora Jeewan Sharma spent Rs 80,000 on beautification of a Ram mandir in his constituency in 1995-96. A Nagaland People8217;s Council NPC MP Imchalemba representing Kohima recommended works at the cost of Rs 10.64 lakh on construction of churches, approach roads and boundary walls for churches. In Balsasore, a record number of 21 religious works were approved by Congress MP Kartik Mahapatra. However, his choice of works included construction of compound wall of Sahaspur mosque, construction of Sankeswar Mahadev temple, Mahalakshmi Mandap, a Kali temple at Tikarapada and Alekh Brahma Math at Khurda.