Six-time MP mops up funds from NREGS, CSR to serve needs of remote villages

Guntur: The six-time MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao has nearly doubled spending from MPLAD fund by drawing matching grant from National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
The move helped him initiate works with Rs.40 crore while MPLAD kitty was Rs.25 crore. He funded majority of works in inaccessible villages and tribal hamlets.
Samabasiva Rao, A TDP MP, has funded projects in assembly constituencies held by opposition YSRC as well.“It is meaningless to see whether the constituency has TDP MLA or YSRCP MLA. People from all the seven assembly segments in my constituency have voted for me and my party. I have granted funds on the needs of the people,” Sambasiva Rao told TOI.
Rayapati released the highest amount, Rs 4.85 crore, to Macherla represented by YSRCP’s P Ramakrishna Reddy. “Spending more on Macherla segment is a politically wise move as the remaining six constituencies are represented by our strong leaders who could get additional funds from the state government. We can win Macherla segment too in the next elections if the MP’s focus helps us get few additional votes,” said M Subbarao, a TDP leader.
While many MPs release funds for construction of CC roads and drains to appease local leaders, Sambasiva Rao spent 20% of his total grant on providing solar street lighting in tribal hamlets of Macherla and Vinukonda. He had granted nearly 25% fund on providing clean water through portable RO plants.
Sambasiva Rao also mobilized additional fund from the PSUs under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes. He secured nearly Rs.20 crore from Gail, ONGC and Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (RECL). Iffco Kisan SEZ granted Rs.2.9 crore for setting up of a cluster-based RO plant in fluoride hit village of Chilakaluripet constituency. RECL gave Rs.1.3 crore.