Lok Sabha Question No. 2640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Closing of MPLADS accounts
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2640

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2021

## CLOSING OF MPLADS ACCOUNTS

## 2640. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  the  time  frame  and  rules  for closing the MPLADS accounts of the former members of Lok Sabha and also for transferring the unspent balance in the MPLAD accounts of the successor sitting Members of Parliament;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof along with the copies of the orders in this regard;
- (c)  whether  the  funds  in  the  MPLADS  accounts  of  former  members  of Lok Sabha of Nagaur Parliamentary Constituency (Rajasthan) have not been  transferred  to  the  funds  of  MPLADS  account  of  the  successor sitting Member of Parliament;
- (d) if  so, the reasons therefor and the action likely  to be taken by the Government  against  those  responsible  for  this  laxity  along  with  the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which the amount available in the MPLADS accounts of former Members of Parliament of Nagaur Parliamentary Constituency is likely  to  be  transferred  into  the  MPLADS  account  of  the  successor sitting Member of Parliament?

## ANSWER

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)  and  (b)  Yes  Sir.  The  relevant  paras  of  the  MPLADS  guidelines  as amended  vide  circular  dated  12.03.2020  with  regards  to  transfer  of funds  not  committed  by  the  predecessor  MP  to  incumbent  MP  and timeline for completion of works / settling of accounts opened by Nodal District Authority and  are as under:-
- "4.7-  In respect of elected Members of Lok Sabha, the balance of MPLADS funds left by the predecessor MP in a Lok Sabha Constituency (funds not committed  works  of  the  predecessor  MP)  would  be  passed  on  to  the successor  MP  from  that  constituency  (in  case  of  fresh  delimitation, separate orders will be issued).
- 4.8 In  respect of elected Members of Rajya Sabha, the balance of funds (funds not committed works) left in the Nodal District by the predecessor Member  in  a  particular  state  on  his  demitting  office  will  be  equally distributed by the State Government among the successor elected Rajya Sabha Members in that state. The unspent balance of even earlier elected Rajya  Sabha  MPs  if  not  already  distributed,  will  be  equally  distributed among the sitting Rajya Sabha Members of the States concerned by the State Government.
- 4.9. the balance of funds (funds not committed for the recommended and sanctioned works) left by the nominated Members of Rajya Sabha in the Nodal District will be equally distributed amongst the successor nominated  Members  of  Rajya  Sabha  by  the  State  Government  with  the approval of Government of India.
- 4.10 The balance of funds (funds not committed for the recommended and sanctioned works) left by Anglo Indian nominated Lok Sabha MPs will be equally  distributed  among  the  successor  Anglo  Indian  nominated  Lok Sabha MPs by the State Government with the approval of Government of India.
- 4.10.1  Completion  of  works/  setting  of  accounts:  The  work  of  MPLADS shall be completed within 18 months from the date of demitting office in case  of  Rajya  Sabha  MPs  or  dissolution  of  the  Lok  Sabha.  District Authorities shall settle and close the account of the concerned MP after completing all other formalities in another 3 months time, under intimation to the Government of India and with detailed information in the monthly progress report (MPR). If the District Authority does not finish the project within 18 months of demitting of an MP or dissolution of Lok Sabha, the District  Authority  will  be  required  to  complete  the  balance  work  out  of State/ District funds. In no case, any extension will be given and District Authority shall be held responsible in case of any lapses in this regard."

In pursuance of the above paras, The Ministry has issued instructions dated 14-05-2020  on  Settlement and closure of savings bank accounts of former Members of Parliament after elapsing of stipulated time-period of 21 months. This was followed by reminders on 16.07.2020 and 31.08.2020.

The  copies  of  instructions  and  reminders  are  enclosed.  (Annexures  of these instructions / instruction may kindly be accessed on web-portal of mplads). (c)   In  respect  of  15 th   Lok  Sabha,  total  entitlement  of  Rs.  19.00  crore  of Nagaur Lok Sabha constituency has been released by the Ministry. Out of this Rs. 19.00 crore, Rs. 15.28 crore has already been settled against the completed works; and an amount of Rs. 1.25 crore which was uncommitted by predecessor MP has been transferred  to the incumbent MP  of  17 th   Lok  Sabha  in  two  instalments.  The  remaining  uncommitted balance,  if  any,  will  be  transferred  to  incumbent  MP  on  completion  of ongoing works and settlement of account, in due course of time. In respect of 16 th  Lok Sabha, the last instalment (second instalment of 2018-19)  has  not  been  released  by  the  Ministry  due  to  non-fulfilment  of eligibility criteria  /  incomplete  documentation  by  the  Nodal  District Authority. The account of 16 th  Lok Sabha will be settled in due course of time  on  completion  of  required  formalities  prescribed  in  the  MPLADS guidelines. (d)   As  per  the  information received  from the  State, show-cause notices have been issued by the Rajasthan State Government against the erring officers and employees responsible for the delay. (e)  As referred to in the reply of part (c) above.

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