Lok Sabha Question No. 2643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-04
Subject: MPLAD Accounts
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2643

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2021

## MPLAD ACCOUNTS

2643. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY :

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;
- (c) whether funds in the MPLADs accounts of former members of  Lok Sabha of Giridih Parliamentary Constituency ( Jharkhand) 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 taken by the Government against those responsible along with the details thereof; and

(e)  the  time  by  which  amount  in  the  MPLADS  accounts  of  former Members of Parliament of Giridih 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,  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) Para 4.10.1 of the  MPLADS guidelines provides the timeline for the completion of works and settling of accounts of the Members of Parliament  (MP)  demitting  the  office;  and   Paras  4.7  to  4.10   of the  MPLADS guidelines provides the details of transfer of funds not committed for recommended works by the predecessor MP to the accounts of sitting MPs (Annexure-I). (c) Yes sir. (d)    The  reasons  for  not  settling  the  said  accounts  are  as  under: i.  The latest Monthly Progress Report in respect of Ex MP of 16th Lok Sabha of Giridih Parliamentary constituency indicates that Ex MP has recommended works of Rs. 25.38 crore before he demitted  the office of  16th  Lok  Sabha.  Therefore,  the  said  account  can't  be  closed prematurely. ii.  The second installment of 2018-19 in respect of ex MP of 16th Lok Sabha of Giridih Parliamentary constituency is pending for release due to decision of the Government not to operate the MPLADS for 2020-21 and 2021-22 and non-release of pending instalments of 201819 in 2021-22. The second installment of 2018-19 in respect of 16th Lok Sabha of Giridih Parliamentary constituency was  not  released by  the  Government  in  2019-20  due  to  non  fulfilment  of  eligibility criteria    and  non-submission  of  eligible  documents  by  the  Nodal District Authority as per the guidelines on MPLADS. (e) The time for the closure of accounts and transfer of the unspent balance to the sitting Member of Parliament will be subject to release of second instalment of 2018-19 by the Government  and in accordance with the MPLADS guidelines.

*****

Annexure-I

- (ANNEXURE REFERRED TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2643 OF PART (b) TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2021) 4.7 In respect of elected Members of Lok Sabha, the balances 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 (Sitting) 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 for the recommended 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/settling 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 Govt. of India and with detailed information in the Monthly Progress Report (MPR). If the District Authority does not finish the projects 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 lapse in this regard.
- *****