CPI(M) backs Ramesh’s idea of a social audit of MPLADS funds

The CPI (M) today backed the Union Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh’s remarks favouring a social audit of funds spent by Members of Parliament under MPLAD Scheme and demanded that the programme be scrapped.

“The money that has been spent by the MPs must be subjected to a social audit. This is public money and it needs to be under public scrutiny,” the CPI (M) politburo member, Mr Sitaram Yechury, told reporters when asked for his reaction on Mr Ramesh’s remarks.

Noting that such an audit will be good for the country, Mr Ramesh had recently said at a function here that whenever he has mooted the idea in Parliament, the MPs appear not to be ready for it. The CPI (M) leader, however, said his party is against the MPLAD Scheme.

“CPI (M) is the only party, which has maintained that MPLADS must be scrapped. The job of the MPs actually is to keep vigilance on the executive. That is what a legislature is supposed to do apart from making laws and drawing attention of the country and the government to the issues of public importance,” he said.