Hyderabad: Rajya Sabha members from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh seeking choice of their state have finally got relief in the form of MPLADS. Conceding to the requests of the six MPs, the Centre has decided to allow them to recommend developmental works in the state/districts of their choice to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum under Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

MPLADS committee had earlier rejected the request since they refused to adopt the allotted state or attend functions, which put the Centre in a dilemma. Telangana MPs will soon be permitted to recommend projects in Telangana districts and Andhra Pradesh MPs in their state. Under the scheme, each MP can suggest to the district collector projects to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency.

MPs have been battling with the Centre to be allotted to the states of their choice after hardcore protagonists of Telangana like K. Kesava Rao (TRS), M.A. Khan (Congress) and T. Devender Goud (TD) were allotted to Andhra Pradesh along with Renuka Choudhry (Congress) while supporters of Samaikhya Andhra like MP Dr K.V. P. Ramachandra Rao (Congress) and C.M. Ramesh (TD) were allotted to Telangana as per AP Reorganisation Act following bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.

Ever since their allotment to two states, the MPs did not venture into the allotted state. They did not choose district in the allotted State for release of MPLADs.

“The MPLADS committee has okayed our request to recommend projects to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum in the nodal district of our choice as well as the State. I have chosen Telangana State and Hyderabad district, my birthplace, as nodal district for the project,” M. A. Khan, Congress Rajya Sabha MP told Deccan Chronicle. Mr Khan disclosed that the committee has sent the file pertaining to Telangana and AP MPs to the Union of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), the implementing authority, and is expected to be cleared by next month.

“We have sought change of state. But at that time the Centre said it can only be done through an amendment to the AP Reorganisation Act. But we are happy with the latest development. The six MPs have not utilised their funds of the last financial year since we were allotted states against our choice,” he added.