Buses Procured Out of MPLAD Fund Rotting Away; No Initiative for Higher Utilisation of Buses

Tarun Karthick

Campbell Bay, 16 January 2023

Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Former Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands throughout his tenure had bought a number of buses out of MPLAD Fund for numerous Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis. Panchayati Raj Institutions initially tried working these buses however ultimately needed to shut down the operations on account of numerous causes.

The main motive to close down the operations of the buses was lack of funds for operation and upkeep. 

Many such buses are at the moment parked and rotting away in numerous villages all through Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

These buses might have been utilised for numerous functions by the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Administration, however as a substitute, these costly property are left to rot with out a lot initiative from any division.

Many such buses are actually past restore, however a number of buses can nonetheless be used after correct repairs. Andaman and Nicobar Administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions can lease such buses to people, Self Help Groups, Cooperative Societies and so forth. after restore and acquiring the required permits. 

Leasing such buses would generate employment in rural areas and the property procured out of public cash will at the least be utilised. Such buses will also be correctly auctioned to the very best bidder and the funds obtained by way of the public sale of the asset may be utilised for numerous developmental work by the Panchayati Raj Institutions.