Lok Sabha Question No. 2244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Introduction of  e-SakshiI Portal
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## INTRODUCTION OF E-SAKSHII PORTAL

## 2244. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to ensure the timely implementation of MPLADS;
- (b) if so, the details of action taken in this regard;
- (c) whether  the Government  has  initiated action for rectifying the operational and  practical difficulty  due  to  implementation  of  newly introduced e-Sakshi Portal and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has introduced an effective technical team to rectify the complaints with regard this portal and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has initiated action to rectifying the difficulties due to inclusion of works recommended and as issued during the 17th Lok Sabha in the 18th Lok Sabha schedule in the said portal; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken for redressal of complaints?

## 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 CULTURE [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a) & (b) Under the MPLAD Scheme, Hon'ble MPs send their recommendations of development works on the eSAKSHI portal. The works are sanctioned and implemented by the District Authorities in accordance with  the  administrative,  financial  and  technical  rules  of  the  concerned State/UT Governments and in accordance with the Guidelines on MPLADS. Through  the  dashboard  of  eSAKSHI  portal,  various  stakeholders  can monitor the progress of works sanctioned and implemented.

Para-3.2.4 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023 stipulates that the sanction/rejection in respect of all recommendations made by the Member of Parliament shall be issued by the Implementing District Authority within

45  days  from the date of receipt  of  the  recommendations  to  the Implementing District Authority. Para-3.2.12 of the extant MPLADS Guidelines stipulates that the sanction letter issued by the Implementing District Authority shall stipulate a time limit for completion of the work by the Implementing Agency, which should generally not exceed one year. In exceptional cases, for instance in difficult/ hilly terrain, etc., where the implementation time is likely to exceed oneyear, specific justification for the same shall be incorporated in the sanction letter. Para-10.6.1 of the extant MPLADS Guidelines stipulates that the Implementing District Authority shall ensure that all works, which are duly sanctioned,  are  completed  within  18  months  from  the  date  of  his/  her demitting office. (c) The eSAKSHI portal goes through dynamic review and regular updates. The  Ministry  regularly  evaluates  feedback  from  various  stakeholders, making necessary modifications to improve the portal's usability and ensure its  smooth  functioning.  This  ensures  the  portal  remains  responsive  and efficient in its operations.

(d) To enhance familiarity with the e-Sakshi portal, the Ministry regularly organizes workshops, webinars, and hands-on training sessions for stakeholders, including State/UT representatives and Members of Parliament (MPs). Additionally, kiosks are set up during each Parliament session  (since  the  Monsoon  Session  2023)  to  assist  MPs  with  MPLADS processes and eSAKSHI portal. A helpdesk operates from 9 AM to 6 PM on all working days during session period to support MPs and stakeholders, ensuring  they  have  access  to  necessary  resources  for  smooth  fund utilization.  The  Ministry  has  also  made  user  manuals  and  instructional videos for the e-Sakshi portal available on mplads.sbi.

(e)  &  (f)  The  eSAKSHI  portal  enables  Hon'ble  MPs  to  view/edit  their recommendations through view/edit recommendation functionality on the portal.  Further,  this  Ministry  vide  letter  dated  07.11.2024  (Annexure  I), granted a one-time relaxation for uploading of offline sanctioned works by District Authorities on the eSAKSHI portal under MPLADS.

*****

## {Annexure referred to in part (e) & (f) of Reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2244 for answer on 12.03.2025}

THAT MPLADS DIVISION

To

All the concerned States/UTs

Subject: Uploading of works sanctioned offline by District Authorities on eSakshi portal of MPLADS-reg.

Madam/Sir,

References have been received by some Members of Parliament (MPs), State

Nodal Authorities (SNAs), Nodal Districts, etc. regarding the uploading of recommendations of Hon'ble ex-MPs and works sanctioned offline by District Authorities

on the eSAKSHI portal.

2.

In this regard, it is stated that post launch of eSAKSHI Portal with effect from 1

April 2023, which provided an end to end solution for the MPLAD Scheme, all the works are required to be recommended by Hon'ble MPs and sanctioned by District authorities through the portal only, in line with the revised MPLADS Guidelines, 2023. Various

District Authorities, however sanctioned a number of works off-line and implemented them, outside the eSAKSHI Portal. 3. The matter has been reviewed by this Ministry and approval of competent authority is hereby conveyed for one-time relaxation to such States/UTs (as per the list enclosed) during this transition phase that have sanctioned works offline without

- having sufficient funds in their physical accounts. These States/UTs would be able to upload these offline sanctioned works on the eSAKSHI Portal and would be able to process pending payments to the vendors through the portal under the new fund flow system. The entries for such offline sanctioned works will be made by the respective SNAs under the ex-MP module. In this regard, the following steps may be followed:

ii.

iii.

- The District Authorities would certify the list of works sanctioned offline and the corresponding amounts and share the list with CNA after due approval of the SNAs. The CNA will input the offline committed amounts of these works on the portal. The certification given by District Authorities would also include a confirmation that the Hon'ble MPs have recommended the works and the

K.L. Bhawan, Janpath

New Delhi-110001

Dated: 07.11.2024

iv.

5.

District Authorities have sanctioned these works prior to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

The details entered by CNA will then be reflected on the SNA screen. The SNA, in turn, will make recommendations based on the available limit provided by the

- CNA and details provided by the District Authorities on the eSAKSHI portal, ensuring that the sanctioned works are completed on time. It is important to note that the responsibility for authenticating such works

and entering them on the eSAKSHI portal will rest entirely with the State Nodal

- Authorities (SNAs). This is a one-time relaxation provided to facilitate onboarding of offline sanctioned works during the transition phase of the new fund flow process. 6. Henceforth, SNAs and respective District Authorities shall ensure that works recommended only on eSAKSHI Portal are sanctioned.
- Yours faithfully,

Pupali G045, 24

(Rupali Gupta)

Deputy Director

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