Question : Benefits of MPLAD Scheme

(a) whether any study has been undertaken to assess the utility and benefits accrued due to the implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme ;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of funds allocated, spent and unspent under the MPLAD scheme during the last four years and the current year;

(d) the reasons for the unspent funds during the said period;

(e) whether any concrete and innovative efforts have been taken to ensure that the funds allocated under MPLAD scheme are utilized fully; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) and (b) The Ministry undertook third party physical monitoring of the MPLADS works in selected districts through independent agencies viz NABARD Consultancy Services Private Limited (NABCONS) and Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Limited. Programme Evaluation Organization (PEO) of erstwhile Planning Commission had also conducted evaluation of the Scheme.

NABCONS had reported that the MPLAD Scheme is a unique scheme having the characteristic feature of de-centralized development founded on the wide scale application of the principle participatory development and has resulted in the creation of fairly good quality assets towards economic and social infrastructure, which has had an overall positive impact on the local economy, social fabric and feasible environment.

AFC in its report concluded that about 82% works were in the Rural Areas and 18% works were in the Urban/ Semi Urban areas. The share of rural and urban area in aggregate cost was 78% and 22% respectively. It was also reported that the scheme has created various durable community assets which have impacted the social, cultural and economic life of the local community in one way or the other.

PEO in its report inter alia mentioned that “The impact of the scheme as felt by the knowledgeable persons and local people indicate that about 65% of the created assets have been rated as good and overwhelming majority of them have opined that the created assets are as per the felt needs and has improved their quality of life.”

(c) The details of funds allocated, spent and unspent under the MPLAD scheme during the last four years and the current year (Up to 30.11.2018) is given in Annexure.

(d) The funds under MPLADS are non-lapsable, both at the Union Government and the District Authority levels i.e. the unspent balances of a particular year are utilized in the subsequent year (s). In view of the nature and dynamics of the scheme, the unutilized balances, which also include interest accrued, exist as utilization of MPLADS funds in the same financial year is not feasible.

(e) and (f) To maximize the utilization of MPLADS funds simplification of existing procedure for release/sanction of fund/works and identification of new items of work is being carried out from time to time as per the changing need of the local communities and is an ongoing process.


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