Amanatullah vows ₹5 crore for Jamia; Asif says MLA fund can’t be used: What does law say?
Since Jashn-e-Jauhar 2025 was held at Jamia a few days ago, a debate has been raging over incumbent Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan’s promise to allocate ₹5 crore from the MLA fund to Jamia Millia Islamia, provided the vice chancellor issues a no-objection certificate (NOC). The announcement, made before a houseful audience at the Jamia School campus, caught widespread attention.
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However, former Okhla MLA Asif Md Khan was the first to dispute the claim in an exclusive interview with the OT. The video, shared on Facebook and Instagram, went viral, with views running into lakhs and attracting numerous comments. Asif called it a “gimmick by Amanatullah to fool the Jamia biradari”.
Amanatullah is not entitled to give MLA fund to Jamia: Asif
“I too have been an MLA. There are guidelines for Members of Parliament, MLAs, and councillors regarding how the funds allotted to them can be used. There are specific guidelines for the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund. He stood on the Jamia stage and casually announced that he would give ₹5 crore from the MLA fund. A Delhi MLA cannot give his MLA fund to Jamia Millia Islamia. The MLA fund guidelines clearly mention where and how the funds can be used.”
He argued that the “MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) Fund cannot, under any circumstances, be used for a Central University, as the law does not permit it”. Effective from the 2025–26 financial year, Delhi MLAs receive ₹5 crore annually per Assembly constituency. The fund, used for projects such as roads, sanitation, and water supply, allows MLAs to recommend development works for their areas, though they do not receive the money directly.
MLA Amanatullah disagrees
Amanatullah, however, disagrees. According to his election affidavit, Amanatullah completed his Class 12 education from Jamia Millia Islamia Senior Secondary School in 1992–93. He has also stated that he completed his graduation as a private candidate.
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Asif said in interviews, Amanatullah has stood by his claim, saying if an MLA from Tughlakabad can allocate funds to Jamia Hamdard, he too can do so. An alumnus present at Jashn-e-Jauhar said Amanatullah asked the university to provide him with a proposal and a no-objection certificate.
Responding to this, Asif said: “Jamia Hamdard is a private deemed university run by a trust, whereas Jamia is a Central University and does not fall under the ambit of an MLA fund, despite being located in the Okhla constituency. Moreover, Jamia receives funds every year from the Central government-run University Grants Commission (UGC).”
Legal experts view
Legal expert Kamran Malik said: “No MLA can give MLALAD fund to a central university. And in no way he can transfer his Rs 5 crore fund to a Centre-run institution in one year.”
Former AAP minority president and lawyer Irfanullah Khan said an MLA is not entitled to give MLALAD funds to a fully Central-funded university. “The fund is not MLA’s personal money. It is for the development of constituency. If any MLA wishes to give fund to Jamia s/he can do so in his personal capacity from his account not government fund. Even the utilization of fund is not easy as needs clearance and hence when it is not done it gets returned also.”
MLALAD fund guidelines
According to the guidelines for the Members of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme, the list of permissible works includes, among others, the construction of school buildings, public libraries, provision of computers to schools, bus stops, and bus queue shelters. The list of non-permissible works includes office buildings, residential buildings, and other structures relating to Central or State governments, departments, agencies, or organisations, as well as works pertaining to commercial organisations, trusts, registered societies, private institutions, or cooperative institutions.
“Much depends on how serious MLA or MP is”
A Jamia alumnus and legal expert, who did not wish to be quoted, said much depends on the seriousness of the MLA. “If he is serious about the issue then he should announce in public that in which category he will give MLALAD fund to the university as though it is Centre funded it comes under his constituency as a large number of students from his wards in Jamia Nagar study in Jamia. And in personal capacity he is free to donate any amount he wishes to do.”
While some have welcomed the announcement, many old-timers remain sceptical. One alumnus, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled that years ago, during a similar Jamia alumni meet attended by several wealthy alumni, millions were pledged within half an hour, with speakers making tall claims from the dais amid applause. However, months later, not a single penny was given to the university.
MPLADS fund guidelines
Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend works within the State of Election except as provided in paras… and …. Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works, anywhere in the country.
Contribution of MPLADS funds to a place outside MPs constituency or outside his State/UT: If an elected Member of Parliament, finds the need, to contribute MPLADS funds, to a place outside that State/UT, Or outside the constituency within the states or both, the MP can recommend eligible works, under these Guidelines up to a maximum of Rs.10 lakh in a financial year. Such a gesture on the part of an MP will promote national unity, harmony, and fraternity among the people, at the grass roots level. In such cases, the Nodal District Authority will be fully responsible for coordination and other functions, bestowed on him in the Guidelines.
