CM-Stalin slugfest over use of MLA fund to buy ventilators

Responding to the tweet of DMK president MK Stalin, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that there are certain rules in spending funds under MLALADS and Stalin should know them before tweeting.

Stalin, on Tuesday, alleged that the fund allotted by Aravakurichi MLA Senthil Balaji to purchase ventilators and other medical equipment to battle COVID-19 under MLALADS was accepted on March 28, but was rejected by Karur Collector on April 1. Stalin also accused that there is political pressure behind the rejection and added that it is not time to do politics, but accept it for purchasing the ventilators.

The Chief Minister immediately reacted to the tweet as there were several replies for Stalin’s tweet accusing Palaniswami of double standards in receiving the funds. The Chief Minister clarified that MLALADS can be spent in only certain departments and so the allotment was cancelled. He also said that if MLAs wish to donate a sum of Rs 25 lakh for coronavirus relief works from their own fund it will also be utilised for works to be undertaken in their own constituency.

Not content with the Chief Minister’s justification, Stalin urged Palaniswami to come forward to procure ventilators for the institution with the funds allotted by MLA Senthil Balaji. 

“It is a well-known fact that LADS could be used only for the concerned constituency.

But, people of Aravakurichi approach only Karur hospital for treatment. Karur hospital does not have

enough ventilators. Hence, Senthil Balaji had allocated funds for Karur hospital,” Stalin reasoned.

“I am not willing to drag the issue further. CM should come forward to immediately announce the procurement of ventilators for Karur Medical College Hospital. It is not important as to which funds

the ventilators would be procured from. Immediate provision of ventilators for Karur is important,”

Stalin said late on Tuesday. 

VCK leader and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday opposed the decision of the Union government to suspend MPLAD fund for two years. “Suspension of MPLAD fund for two years without the consent of MPs is unacceptable. MPLAD fund is the only way for MPs to implement developmental schemes in their constituency and it will also block MPs from purchasing required medical equipment to battle COVID-19,” said Thirumavalavan, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I cannot understand the emergency of the government in promulgating ordinance to cut salary and allowances before discussing it in the all-party meeting. It shows government’s apathy towards consensus,” said Thirumavalavan. He also said that most of the MPs in the state have already donated their one-month salary for coronavirus related works. He further said that MPs are ready to donate few more months of their salary, but cutting their salary without their consensus is undemocratic.