Sixteen of Rajasthan's 25 MPs have not spent a single penny on development works in their constituency even nine months after they were elected, the Dainik Bhaskar reported on Tuesday.

Every MP gets Rs 2 crore a year for development works under the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.

Those who are yet to begin allocating funds include Rural Development Minister C.P. Joshi, Minister of State for Communication and Information Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Finance Namonarayan Meena and National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas, according to the report that does not mention the source of the information.

The paper quoted Joshi as saying: “The election have got over just recently. The funds have not been released so as to plan well and spend money where you can have impact. We will discuss with people and proceed.”

Vyas, on the other hand, said: “The delay was due to the model code of conduct. Water is my priority. By February end, we will have a better assessment of where water is in shortage. I have decided to allocate money to those works related to drinking water that do not come under the state government's ambit.”