Shimla, Sept. 6 -- The BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, on Saturday alleged that officials were not utilising MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds despite their release, during a meeting of the district development coordination and monitoring committee (DISHA).

Ranaut said around Rs.11 crore had been released for development works, but a substantial portion of the funds remained unused nearly two years later. "By March-April, less than Rs.1 crore had been utilised across the entire area, while in Mandi alone, only around Rs.50-60 lakh had reportedly been spent out of approximately Rs.5.5 crore. It has become a joke," she said.

The MP pointed out that several projects had remained pending because agencies had failed to complete nece...