Lok Sabha Question No. 3660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Under-utilisation of MPLADS Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## UNDER-UTILISATION OF MPLADS FUNDS

## 3660. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  reasons  for  sub-optimal utilisation  of  funds  under  MPLADS,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and measures taken to redress the same; (b) the details of action taken on recommendations of the 14th Report of the Estimates Committee; (c) the number of MPs yet to open bank accounts for MPLAD funds; (d) whether  any  steps are being taken to promote  constituent participation in planning and implementation under MPLADS, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government intends to release an advance amount of Rs. 5 crore each to MP this fiscal under the MPLAD scheme for 2023-24 to enable completion of projects, as recommended by the 14th Report of the Estimates Committee, if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether the Government intends to set up an online dashboard for real-time data collection on various development works under MPLAD
- to expedite the monitoring process, if so, the details in this regard?

## 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)  The  utilization  of  funds  under  MPLAD  Scheme,  in  general,  is considered to be optimal. However, to avoid sub-optimal utilization of MPLADS  funds,  the  Ministry  reiterates  the  importance  of  optimal

utilization of MPLADS funds during the Annual Review Meetings with the State/UT Nodal Departments; deputes its officers to visit States/Districts to review the implementation; and issues directions to speed up utilization (by following due processes) and to diligently follow the time line for sanction as prescribed in Para 3.12 and 3.13 of the MPLADS Guidelines. (b) Based on the suggestions/recommendations received from various stakeholders,  including  recommendations  contained  in  reports  of various  Parliamentary  Committees  including  the  14th  Report  of  the Estimates Committee, which were found feasible and aligned with the objectives  of  MPLAD  Scheme,  the  Ministry  has  released  revised MPLADS Guidelines on 22-2-2023, to be effective from 1-4-2023. These Guidelines have also been uploaded on MPLADS portal at mplads.gov.in. (c) As of now, the concerned Nodal District Authority of all the Hon'ble Members of Parliament of the 17th session of Lok Sabha have opened bank accounts for MPLADS funds. (d) The Hon'ble Members of Parliament who represent const ituents are considered by the Ministry as the most important stakeholders in the MPLAD  Scheme,  and  hence,  their  feedback/suggestions,  which  are considered to be very critical for bringing qualitative improvement in the Scheme, are duly considered during planning and implementation under MPLADS. (e)  The  recommendations  contained  in  14th  Report  of  the  Estimates Committee, which were found feasible and aligned with the objectives of  MPLAD  Scheme,  have  been  incorporated  in  the  revised  MPLADS Guidelines released by the Ministry on 22-2-2023, to be effective from 14-2023.  These  Guidelines  have  been  uploaded  on  MPLADS  portal  at www.mplads.gov.in (f)  The  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation,  in collaboration with State Bank of India, has launched a web-portal on 222-2023 for implementing revised fund flow procedure w.e.f. 1-4-2023. The new web-portal incorporates several technology-enabled

- functionalities covering the lifecycle of a MPLADS development project.

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