Patna, February 23 Across party lines, Bihar legislators on Monday unanimously demanded an increase in the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund from the existing ₹4 crore to ₹5 crore.
The issue was raised during a calling attention motion by BJP MLA Pramod Kumar during the ongoing Assembly session.
Former minister and BJP legislator Neeraj Singh ‘Babloo’ also supported the demand.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the expectations of our voters with a limited annual entitlement of ₹4 crore. A significant amount is deducted from the MLA LAD fund as tax. It was last revised in 2023. It should be increased to ₹5 crore, as MLAs in other states receive," Kumar said.
Echoing a similar view, Neeraj Singh said, "The MLA LAD fund should be on par with the MP LAD fund. If it is increased to ₹5 crore, legislators will be able to carry out more development works in their respective constituencies."
RJD MLA Kumar Sarvjeet also supported the demand, saying, "The demand for an increase in the MLA LAD fund is fully justified, and the time has come to revise it. It must be increased to ₹5 crore annually."
Responding to the issue, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "The House will inform Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the demands of the MLAs, and only after that will a final decision be taken."
As MLAs continued to press for an assurance from the government on the floor of the House, Speaker Prem Kumar intervened and reminded members that Sinha had already assured that the matter would be discussed at the appropriate forum. The members subsequently agreed to the Speaker’s assurance.