Lok Sabha Question No. 2790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: e-SAKSHI Portal
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Dr. Hemang Joshi, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Shri Khagen Murmu, Smt. Roopkumari Choudhary, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2790 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## E-SAKSHI PORTAL

## 2790. DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:

SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

DR. HEMANG JOSHI:

DR. BHOLA SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched a new Members of Parliament Local  Area  Development  Scheme  (MPLADS)  fund  flow  via  e-SAKSHI portal - digital initiative and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this new portal would help in streamlining and improving MPLADS funds and its implementation through efficiency and transparency if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of States/UTs trained or onboarded on e-SAKSHI and the timeline for national rollout;
- (d) whether e-SAKSHI enables real-time monitoring and accountability in  MPLADS  and  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  digital  readiness  of implementing agencies;
- (e) whether the Government is considering to simplifying the e-SAKSHI portal and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  district  officers  are  given  any  deadlines  for  uploading implementing  MPLADS  works  and  if  not,  the  steps  taken  to  ensure timely uploading of implementation of MPLADS work?

## 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) The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, has launched the eSAKSHI portal in collaboration with the State Bank of

India with effect from 1 April 2023 for implementing the Revised Fund Flow Procedures under the  MPLAD  Scheme.  By  integrating  MP recommendations, sanctioning by District Authorities, and execution by Implementing Agencies on a single digital platform, the eSAKSHI portal has  streamlined  fund  releases,  eliminated  the  need  for  physical accounts, enabled end-to-end digital functionalities for all stakeholders,  and  simplified  workflow  through  secure  verification mechanisms.  These  enhancements  have  led  to  improved  efficiency, transparency, real-time tracking, and better coordination  among stakeholders, thereby accelerating project execution and strengthening accountability across all levels of implementation.

- (c)  All  States  and  Union  Territories  (UTs)  have  been  successfully onboarded and trained on the e-SAKSHI portal. To further strengthen user  familiarity  and  effective  utilization  of  the  platform,  the  Ministry regularly conducts workshops, webinars, and hands-on training sessions for stakeholders, including representatives from States/UTs and Hon'ble Members of Parliament. These capacity-building initiatives are ongoing and are organized based on requests received from various States and UTs, ensuring continued support and engagement across all levels.

Additionally, kiosks are set up during each Parliament session (since the  Monsoon  Session  of  2023)  to  assist  MPs  with  MPLADS-related processes and the use of the e-SAKSHI portal. A dedicated helpdesk operates from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all working days during Parliament sessions, providing support to MPs and other stakeholders to ensure smooth utilization of MPLADS funds. To aid users further, the Ministry has made user manuals and instructional videos available on the portal.

- (d) The eSAKSHI web portal has brought in a seamless integration of MP recommendations, sanctioning by District Authority and execution by  Implementing  Agency;  contributing  to  a  well-coordinated  and efficient  workflow.  The  portal  also  provides  greater  visibility  of  the progress of works on real time basis through customized login, progress reports  and  dashboards.  This  has  increased  the  efficiency  in  the working of the MPLAD Scheme, while bringing in greater transparency and accountability in the system. A mobile application has also been launched,  which  enables  Members  of  Parliament  to  recommend  and monitor works under the scheme on-the-go.
- (e)  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.
- (f)  The  MPLADS  Guidelines,  2023  has  specific  provisions  stipulating timelines  for  implementing  District  Authorities  and  Implementing Agencies to ensure timely sanction, execution and completion of works recommended by the Hon'ble MPs as given below:
-  Para-3.2.4:  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:  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 one-year, specific justification for the same shall be incorporated in the sanction letter.
-  Para 10.6.1: 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.

Further, Ministry conducts monthly review meetings with the States/UTs to review the implementation of the MPLAD Scheme. For objective  monitoring,  regular  updates  on  pendency  are  shared  with States  and  Union  Territories,  including  details  of  works  yet  to  be sanctioned beyond 45 days, works not completed even after one year of  sanction,  and  works  where  no  payments  have  been  made  three months post-sanction.

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