Question : SOLAR STREET LIGHTS UNDER MPLAD SCHEME IN BIHAR

(a) the number of solar street lights installed under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme in Bihar during the last three years, constituency-wise;

(b) whether the cases of not installing such lights in the State despite the concerned Member of Parliament recommendations have come to the notice of the Government;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government proposes to bring any amendment in the existing norms to give more freedom to District Planning Authority for proper implementation of various projects under the scheme; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken by the Government to check irregularities in the implementation of the said scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS(GENERAL (Dr.) V.K. SINGH (Retd.))

(a): Data on constituency-wise works undertaken under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is not centrally maintained.

(b) and (c): Two letters dated 28.10.2014 and 03.11.2014 from Shri Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Honble Member of Parliament, regarding problems and delay in implementation of MPLADS at the State/District level have been received in the Ministry, in which problems in the installation of Solar Lights by Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA), a Government of Bihar enterprise, have inter alia also been mentioned.

The Ministry has requested Secretary (Planning and Development), Government of Bihar for sanction and implementation of the eligible works expeditiously and as per rules.

(d): Implementation of the works in the field is undertaken by the District Authorities as per the State Governments technical, administrative and financial rules and in accordance with the Guidelines on MPLADS. There is no proposal to amend the Guidelines in this regard.

(e): Whenever violations of Guidelines or irregularities in implementation of the Scheme come to notice in the Ministry, the concerned State Government/District Authority is requested to take appropriate action, including penal and departmental action and recovery/recoupment of MPLADS funds with interest.