Question : Suspension of MPLADS

(a) whether the Government is aware that dissolving of MPLAD funds has seriously affected the developmental activities in rural areas of the country;

(b) whether the Government has received representations from the hon’ble Members of Parliament regarding suspension of MPLADS for two years and if so, the details thereof;

(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure justice to the rural people of the country along with the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has any plans to reinstate the MPLADS to ensure the decentralised development; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefore?

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) The Government has not dissolved MPLADS funds (scheme). It has suspended operations of the the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for two years, that is during FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 .

(b) The Government has received references from Hon’ble Members of Parliament requesting for release of pending installments due to them as on 31.03.2020 to resume the ongoing works and clear the committed liabilities under MPLADS.

(c) Government has issued detailed instructions vide its circular dated 08th April, 2020 wherein Hon’ble Members of Parliament have been requested to change the priority of their earlier recommendations, if feasible, so that the recommended work can be completed within the funds already available with the District Authority as no more funds will be released during FY 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The Ministry has issued another set of instructions dated 14.05.2020 to the Nodal district authorities for settlement and closure of savings bank accounts of former MPs of Lok Sabha and former Members of Rajya Sabha, which are not yet closed even after completion of 21 months from the date of demitting office so that unspent balance in their account can be used by the respective constituencies/ states where funds are required as per MPLADS guidelines.

(d) and (e) Government decided not to operate the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for two years, that is during FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 and placed the funds allocated for the FY2020-21 at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance for strengthening its efforts in managing the challenges of COVID-19 COVID-19 which has been declared as a global pandemic and a notified disaster in the country.

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