DEHRADUN: Lok Sabha MP from Tehri Maharani Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah has clarified that she was in no manner connected with the alleged irregularities in the use of MPLAD funds which were highlighted by an annual technical inspection report on panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies prepared by the office of the accountant general (audit) of the Uttarakhand government.Speaking about the report tabled in the state assembly in June, (TOI had carried excerpts of the report in its edition dated June 16, 2017 under the heading ‘Rs 1.4 crore contracts under MPLAD in Tehri red flagged’), the MP said, “I was shocked to see the financial irregularities mentioned in the report that were linked to me by innuendo in the TOI story. I had my office enquire into the nine works costing Rs 1.41 crore mentioned in the report and found that not even one of these works was ever suggested, sponsored or dealt with by my office in any manner whatsoever. Most importantly these works were suggested by some other members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha to the district collector none of whom belonged to the BJP.”The maharani said that she was “inundated by calls from persons from my constituency and my party after the news was reported.” “That is why, I want to clarify that the projects in question are not connected with me in any manner.”TOI independently verified Shah’s assertion and found that the nine works in question, namely RCC bridge at Moldhar (Rs 8 lakh), RCC bridge at Dugadda (Rs 8 lakh), boundary wall and playground in primary school, Bangsheel (Rs 8.36 lakh), RCC bridge in Kshetra, Kinsu (Rs 8 lakh), playground at Moldhar (Rs 17.19 lakh), playground, toilet and solar cooker purchase (Rs 19.37 lakh), bridge on Paligad river at Jogiyda High School (Rs 28 lakh), drinking water scheme in Khaneu Kinsu (Rs 26 lakh) and construction of toilet in primary school, Kinsu (Rs 18 lakh) were sponsored or commissioned mainly by MPs who had been nominated by the President.Meanwhile, elaborating on her plans for the constituency, Shah said, “I have asked the state education department to share details of the meritorious students in Tehri constituency. I am planning to provide at least 50 laptops to students from classes X to XII as well as those studying in college. This is in line with PM Modi’s Digital India initiative which should be propagated further in the state.”

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