Gift to daddy -- Chautala's men hunt for funds

Gift to daddy -- Chautala's men hunt for funds
NAVNEET SHARMA

CHANDIGARH, OCT 2: When it comes to populism, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has no match. His latest fad is setting up old-age homes for senior citizens in the 6,745 villages of the state. But at Rs 130 crore, the funds aren't coming easily.

With the financial situation of the state not too bright, the government has been forced to search for alternative means of funding for the scheme Chautala announced to celebrate the birthday of his octogenarian father Devi Lal last month.

It is learnt that the state government is now looking towards the members of Parliament (MPs), who get Rs 2 crore each from the Centre as development fund. The state has 15 MPs -- 10 from the Lok Sabha and five from the Rajya Sabha.

``The scheme, which is to be implemented in five years, would do well if the 15 MPs contribute even half of the funds they get from the Union Government. The old-age homes will also provide food and free medical treatment to the poor,'' a Social Welfare Department official said. While it is not a bad strategy, the cash-starved government is unlikely to find too many takers.

While the INLD government will get support from its seven MPs (five from the Lok Sbaha and two from the Rajya Sabha), the real test will be in its ability to convince MPs from the BJP, the Congress and the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP).

``It is a state government scheme and should be funded from its own resources. The MPs can spend the fund on other projects,'' said a senior Congress leader.

The BJP, an ally of the ruling INLD, has five MPs from the Lok Sabha whereas the Congress has two members from the Rajya Sabha. The HVP has one MP from Rajya Sabha.