Joy questions legality of using MLALADF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 28 2025: The financial sanction of Rs 29.50 crore MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLALADF) has raised questions about the legality and appropriateness of allowing MLAs to undertake development works when the Assembly is under suspended animation during President's Rule, asked former Minister O Joy in a written communication to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Under President's Rule, the MLAs have "no role in governance".

As such, allowing the MLAs to do developmental work is against the spirit of the rule of the State by the President, under Article 356 of the Constitution, said the veteran politician, briefing media persons on the memorandum he submitted to the Governor yesterday.

The Rs 29.50 crore MLALADF has been sanctioned for 59 Constituencies as 1 st instalment.

Typically, MLAs are entitled to utilise MLALADF for development works in their Constituency.

In Manipur, MLAs are allocated Rs 3 crore each annually for the purpose, according to the Manipur Salaries and Allowances Act, said O Joy.

The State has been under President's Rule since February 13, and concurrently, the State Assembly has also been put under suspended animation, meaning "its legislative power has been taken over by the Parliament".

Consequently, the Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly have been "deprived" of their powers and duties of legislation, which is their primary function as representatives of the people, said O Joy.

While the MLAs are not performing legislative functions, Rs 29.50 crore @ Rs 50 lakh MLALADF for 59 Constituencies has been sanctioned.

This has raised questions about the legality and appropriateness of allowing MLAs to undertake development works when the Assembly is under suspended animation during President's Rule, O Joy said.

"While the legality or otherwise of allowing MLAs to undertake development works during suspension of legislative function is vague, there has arisen a question of morality of such activities," O Joy said.

"I am of the view that allowing MLAs to do development works during President's Rule is against the spirit of rule of the State by the President with proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution of India," O Joy asserted.

"In fact, the President of India rules Manipur through the Governor.

Elected MLAs have no role in governance as envisaged by Article 356 .

As such, allowing MLAs to do developmental works runs contrary to the scheme of governance intended under that Article," O Joy added.

Urging the Governor to immediately review the financial sanction, O Joy said, "It would be morally appropriate and desirable to allocate such funds for works considered to be of great priority by the Governor" .

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