MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND
PUBIC GRIEVANCES IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
AND PENSIONS.
(SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a & b) The news item refers to un-utilised balance of the
funds allocated under MPLADS to the extent of 40% and the
proposal to allow the nominated Members of Parliament to spend
funds in more than one State.
(c) The progress of expenditure has since increased to 65.5%
thereby leaving the unutilised balance to the extent of 34.5%.
This improvement is attributable to the number of steps taken by
the Government in the recent past to accelarate the execution of
projects under MPLADS. These include advice to all DCs to
process and sanction all the works recommended by MPs to the
extent of their entitlement of MPLADS funds, without waiting
for the receipt of funds from this Ministry and to send a report
in the prescribed format every month so that funds could be
released to the fullest extent. The DCs have also been requested
to stipulate a time limit for the implementing agencies to
complete the given work in a specific time frame depending on the
nature of work. All MPs have been requested to give their
recommendation for various works well in advance in a phased
manner, not to cancel works in the midway, recommend civil
works, only on undisputed locations. The State Governments have
also been advised to issue necessary instructions to all
concerned to strictly follow the monitoring arrangement as laid
down in the guidelines. The Committee on MPLADS, Rajya Sabha
has already considered the proposal to allow nominated members
to recommend work in more than one State. The views of the
Committee on MPLADS Lok Sabha, on the matter are yet to be
received. After they are received, necessary changes in the
guidelines would be made.
(d & e) Suggestions have been received from MPs for
amendment of guidelines. Some of these have been referred to the
respective Committees on MPLADS of both the Houses.
