Question : Utilization of MPLAD Funds

(a) whether the Government is aware that Members of Parliament (MPs) have no role in the utilization of Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds allocated for the development of infrastructure in their respective constituencies;

(b) if so, whether such situation has led to practical hurdles in the allocation of funds under MPLAD;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has issued guidelines to the district headquarters to execute the projects of MPLAD under the direct supervision of MPs; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a): Under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), honourable Members of Parliament (MPs) recommend works as per locally felt needs in their constituencies. Implementation of works in the field is undertaken by the District Authorities as per the State Government’s technical, administrative and financial rules and the provisions of the Guidelines on MPLADS.

(b) & (c): No, Madam. Funds are released, MP-wise, on meeting the prescribed conditions laid in the Guidelines on MPLADS. The funds are non-lapsable, both at the end of the Union Government and at the end of the District Authority i.e. the unspent balances of a particular year are utilized in the subsequent year (s).

(d): No, Madam.

(e): Does not arise.
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