Local Area Development funds will not be abolished: Govt

New Delhi: The Centre has rejected the recommendation of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission for abolishment of Local Area Development schemes under which funds are given directly to concerned MPs and MLAs, the Lok Sabha was informed today. [caption id=“attachment_63036” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Centre has rejected the abolishment of Local Area Development schemes. Reuters”] [/caption] Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, V Narayanasamy in a written reply, regarding the report of the Commission on “Ethics in Governance” wherein it reiterated that schemes of MP Local Area Development and MLA Local Area Development should be abolished, said the government has decided not to accept it. It has also not accepted the recommendation that the release of Finance Commission grants to local bodies be made “conditional” on acceptance of arrangement regarding technical supervision of the Comptroller and Auditor General over audit of local bodies, the minister said. He said the Commission has submitted its sixth report titled ‘Local Governance - An inspiring journey into the future’. PTI