New Delhi: There was a brief uproar in the Lok Sabha yesterday as some Congress members demanded to know why the MPLAD scheme fund meant for MPs was not being hiked as proposed by a House committee, prompting its Chairman M Thambi Durai to say it is for the government to respond to it.

As Thambi Durai (AIADMK), who is also the Deputy Speaker, rose to present the fifth report of the Committee on the MPLAD scheme, K C Venugopal of Congress questioned its purpose.

“What is the purpose of the report? MPLAD fund is not being hiked,” he said, drawing support from some members.

Thambi Durai said, “As Chairman of the Committee, I have already recommended the government to see to it that Rs 25 crore is given annually. That is what I had recommended. Let the government respond to that. Only the Government has to come forward.