TN CM orders Rs 1 cr cut in MLA fund to channel it for virus fight

Chennai, Apr 7 () Chief Minister K Palaniswami onTuesday ordered utilisation of Rs one crore from the MLA LocalArea Development Fund of all the 234 legislators towardsprocuring medical equipment, drugs and for preventioninitiatives against the coronavirus across Tamil Nadu. The government permission for MLAs to use upto Rs 25 lakhin their respective constituencies towards anti-contagionprevention measures and for medical treatment purposes willcontinue to be in force, the Chief Minister said. "I have ordered utilisation of Rs one crore fromthe MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLALADF) of alllegislators and utilise it at the State level," he said in astatement.The fund deducted will be used for buying medicalequipment, drugs and prevention initiatives againstcoronavirus across Tamil Nadu. While the MLA LADF allocation for each legislator isRs three crore per year in Tamil Nadu, it is not knownimmediately if the utilisation of Rs one crore is only forApril or whether it will be continued. VGNROH ROH