Shimla: BJP MP from Mandi Kangana Ranaut on Saturday pulled up officials over the slow utilisation of nearly Rs 11 crore released under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) during the past two years, questioning why development works had not progressed despite funds being available.Chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA), Ranaut expressed strong displeasure over repeated discussions on the same issues without visible action on the ground. She said less than Rs 1 crore had been utilised by March-April, while expenditure in Mandi alone stood at only Rs 50-60 lakh against around Rs 5.5 crore allocated.Warning officials against offering what she termed “useless jumlas” for delays, Ranaut said, “I don’t need your assurances. Get the bloody job done.”She said the slow pace of implementation had attracted negative attention nationally, with reports highlighting that despite the release of Rs 11 crore under her MPLADS quota, projects remained incomplete. “This is a much sought-after seat. The whole country is looking at the performance of this constituency,” she said.Questioning the officials’ work culture, Ranaut remarked: “What am I supposed to tell the national media? That officials come here only to draw salaries? What am I supposed to say about their work ethic?”The MP said she had been unable to recommend fresh projects as previously sanctioned funds remained unutilised. She urged officials to focus on timely execution instead of “making reels on social media”.Ranaut also directed block development officers (BDOs) implementing MPLADS works to explain project delays. She said some beneficiaries had received funds but not started work, while in other cases sanctioned amounts remained unspent.Seeking details of projects stalled due to land acquisition issues, permissions or pending no-objection certificates (NOCs), she instructed officials to identify the reasons for each delay, fix accountability and set firm deadlines for completing the works.
