MP fund misused in Dharmapuri: DMK

Dharmapuri MP S Senthil Kumar on Friday said there were discrepancies in MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds spent in the district.
Talking to reporters in Dharmapuri, he said of the Rs 2.5 crore allotted to him for the year 2019-20, Rs 1 crore was spent without his authorisation.
Senthil Kumar said he had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for construction of toilets in Nangavalli and Mecheri areas.But the administrative sanction for the project was cancelled. “However, funds were not returned. When I inquired, I was told that the sum was spent for procuring equipment in government hospital. This was done without my approval,” he said and added that MPLAD fund sanctioned for one project cannot be diverted for another without the MP’s authorisation.
The DMK MP said he had visited the government hospital to find out how the MP fund was spent. “I wanted to know if the fund was used and whether any new equipment was bought. I didn’t get any convincing answers and it’s a sign of irregularity.”
Dharmapuri collector S Malarvizhi refuted the MP’s charges and said Senthil Kumar had given a letter authorising the administration to spend Rs 1 crore from his fund for Covid-related activities. “The amount spent on purchasing equipment for the government hospital. The fund was handled by district disaster management committee. His charges are politically motivated.”