(a) whether the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is proposed to be brought under the purview of the Union Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, whether there is any central nodal agency to expedite the execution of MPLAD fund and monitor the functioning of DRDA; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) & (b)There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to bring the District Rural Development Agency under the purview of Union Government.
(c) & (d) However, keeping in view the distinct nature of the MPLAD Scheme, several measures are taken by the Ministry from time to time to expedite utilization of MPLAD funds, some of which are given below:-
(i) Ministry regularly follows up with the District Authorities to submit the fund related documents online for timely release of funds. Training to the District Officials is also being imparted.
(ii) Officers of the Ministry are deputed to visit various States/ Districts to review the implementation of the Scheme.
(iii) Ministry conducts Annual Review Meeting with the Nodal Departments of all the State/ UT Governments to discuss the implementation of the scheme. Ministry also impresses upon the Nodal Departments of the State/ UT Governments to convene Meetings under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary with the District Authorities and Members of Parliament at least once in a year. This is besides the quarterly review meeting by the District Authorities with the implementing agencies at district level to review the progress of implementation of MPLAD Scheme.
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