Question : MPLAD SCHEMES

(a) whether there are complaints against the Nodal Agencies or the Implementing Agencies under the MPLADS to the effect that they are not adhering to the guidelines, not listening to the legitimate claims of the concerned Members of Parliament, not co-ordinating with the Members of Parliament, etc.; and

(b) if so, whether the Nodal Agencies and the implementing agencies do not give enough priority and importance in executing the MPLADS works quickly;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the funds meant for it are correctly spent?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, PLANNING, SPACE, ATOMIC ENGERY & COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE)

(a), (b) & (c) Some complaints against the Collectors and implementing agencies under the MPLADS have been received from the Members of Parliament. The Collectors as well as the implementing agencies are responsible for satisfactory implementation of works taken up under MPLADS. The complaints are mainly about delay in processing of recommendations received by District Authorities, delay in preparation of estimates by the concerned implementing agencies, delay in issue of financial sanction by the District Administrations, non-compliance of time frame by the implementing agencies, delay in transfer of funds from one district to another, non- submission of expenditure statement by District Administrations to the Central Government, non furnishing of information to the MPs by the District Administrations.

(d) Instructions have already been issued to all the District Collectors to accord top priority to MPLADS scheme and follow the guidelines scrupulously. Whenever specific complaints are received, the matter is immediately taken up with the concerned State Governments/District Administrations for investigation and remedial action. The State Government have been advised from time to time to strictly follow the provisions of the guidelines and implement works recommended by Members of Parliament expeditiously. The District Administrations have been advised to sanction works recommended by Members of Parliament to the extent of their entitlement without waiting for actual release of funds and submit the expenditure report expeditiously so that entitled funds could be released by the Ministry. The District Administrations have also been advised to evolve a timeframe for implementation keeping in view the nature of the works and follow the same strictly. The State Governments/District Administrations have also been advised to comply with the provision of monitoring of works as per the guidelines on MPLADS and have review meetings at the level of Chief Secretary. Special Review Meetings are being held from time to time at the level of MOS (S&PI) to remove the bottlenecks so as to ensure expeditious implementation of works recommended.