Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF MSDP

(a) the present status of the implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) in the country;

(b) the details of the monitoring mechanism in place to monitor the implementation of the said programme;

(c) the number of persons found guilty of indulging in acts of irregularities/corruption in the implementation of the above programme during each of the last three years and the current year; and

(d) the action taken by the Government to ensure that the benefits of the programme are actually received by the intended beneficiaries?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)

(a) Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) was implemented in 90 identified Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) in 20 States/UTs of the country during 11th Five Year Plan. Projects of Rs. 3733.90 crore were approved and Rs. 2935.87 crore was released to the States /UTs during 11th Five Year Plan. The programme has been restructured and implementation has been initiated to cover 710 Minority Concentration Blocks and 66 Minority Concentration Towns falling in 26 states/UTs during 12th Five Year Plan. Projects of Rs. 1687.02 crore have been approved and Rs. 722.32 crore has been released to the States/UTs during 12th Five Year Plan.

(b) There is a robust mechanism in place for monitoring the implementation of MsDP at the State & Central Level. The District and State Level Committees for Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme are responsible to review the progress of implementation of the programme at the district and State levels. Further the Empowered Committee at the Centre serves as the oversight committee and monitors the implementation of the programme at the national level. The progress under MsDP is also reviewed on half yearly basis by the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) along with the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme and then reported to the Union Cabinet. Monitoring is also done through conferences at the national, regional and State levels as well as through visits of officials to the project sites.

(c) The implementation of MsDP is done by the State Government/UT Administration through their Departments/agencies. As such, the State/UT are responsible for taking action on the complaints if received, regarding acts of irregularities/corruption in the implementation of the programme.

(d) Multi-sectoral Development Programme has been restructured to sharpen the focus on targeted minorities by making Minority Concentration Block/Town as unit area of planning in place of district. Further, the robust monitoring mechanism of the programme ensures that the benefits of the programme are received by the intended beneficiaries.