Lok Sabha Question No. 207 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: MPLAD Scheme
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 207

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 30 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## MPLAD SCHEME

*207.   SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether adequate steps have been taken by the Government  for  making  the  MPLAD  Fund  Scheme  more effective and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  link  various  central schemes  with  MPLAD  Fund  Scheme  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  increase  the amount and relax norms for utilisation of MPLAD fund and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (d) the details of durable assets created under MPLAD scheme during the current Lok Sabha?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION [SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA]

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid down on the table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 207 for answer on 30.11.2016.

- (a): Yes, Madam.

Implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is governed by the Guidelines  on  MPLADS,  which are reviewed and revised from time to time inter-alia on the basis of feedback from MPs, States, District Authorities, etc., recommendations and advice from Parliamentary Committees, recommendations and advice of Comptroller & Auditor General / Public Accounts  Committee,  internal  examinations  and  discussions  in  the Ministry, etc. in order to improve the design and implementation of the scheme.

The Ministry regularly reviews the implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) through national-level review meetings with officers of State Governments/Districts and visits to States/Districts.

The Ministry undertakes third party physical monitoring of the MPLADS works in selected districts through independent agencies from time to time.

A  new  integrated  MPLADS  website,  developed  on  state-of-the-art Microsoft technology platform with built in security features is under implementation. This new website provides single point of reference for  all  stake  holders  including  Members  of  Parliament  and  District Authorities. Since 1 st  April 2015 all MPLADS funds releases are being made only through this website.

Training on MPLADS  website is imparted to officers of State Governments/District Administrations.

- (b): Para  3.17  of  the  Guidelines  on  MPLADS  stipulates  that  MPLAD Scheme can be converged in individual / stand-alone projects of other Central  and  State  Government  schemes  provided  such  works  of Central  /  State  Governments  Schemes  are  eligible  under  MPLADS.

Funds  from  local  bodies  can  similarly  also  be  pooled  with  MPLADS works.

Para  3.17.1  and  3.17.2  of  the  Guidelines  on  MPLADS  stipulates  that funds from MPLADS can be converged with MGNREGA and Khelo India: National Programme for Development of Sports with the objective of creating more durable assets.

The MPs may recommend augmentation by certain amount out of his MPLADS funds in a Centrally sponsored Scheme against central plus State share indicating the geographical area where to be implemented and  the  amount  recommended, but  will  not  be  permitted  to  indicate the beneficiaries, who will continue to be as per any prior list/priority list already drawn up by the District Authority, and the list would not require a change on the request of the MP.

MPs  may  recommend  funds  for  augmentation  of  funds  for  Schemes such  as  'Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan'  which  provide  for  construction  of individual toilets.

(c): A  joint  representation  of  MPs  was  received  in  this  Ministry through  Prime  Minister's  Office  to  enhance  annual  allocation  of MPLADS funds. Earlier, in similar requests, Department of Expenditure had  communicated  that  they  were  not  in  favour  of  increasing  the allocation.  The  joint  representation  of  MPs  has  been  forwarded  to Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

At  present  there  is  no  proposal  in  the  Ministry  to  relax  norms  for utilization of MPLADS funds.

(d): The  works  are  recommended  by  the  honourable  MPs  and  are sanctioned as well as executed through District Authorities concerned.  The  specific  data  is  maintained  at  the  District  level  and only broad parameters are maintained by this Ministry. Based on  the latest Monthly Progress Reports received from the District Authorities, as  on  28.11.2016,  74316  works  have  been  completed  during  the current Lok Sabha.

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