Question : MPLAD FUNDING SCHEME

(a) whether an annual limit of Rs.50 lakh has been imposed for funding to societies/trusts under MPLADS;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether most of the provisions of the scheme guidelines provide for funding to Government organisations;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government proposes to relax the above provision as the Government organisations are adequately funded by the Union/State Governments;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE), IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)

(a)&(b) The decision to impose limit of `50 lakh per MP in a financial year to societies/trusts from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund was taken in consultation with various stake holders and with approval of Lok Sabha Committee on MPLADS.

(c)&(d) The objective of the MPLAD scheme is to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets viz. drinking water, primary education, public health, sanitation and roads, etc. Since the Government infrastructure caters to the majority of population of the country, as such, major share of MPLADS fund is used for these works.

(e)&(f) At present, there is no such proposal.

(g) The major share of MPLADS fund is utilised on community infrastructure works of national priorities to shoulder the responsibility of the Government towards welfare of general public at large.