Lok Sabha Question No. 2900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: MPLAD Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2900

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## MPLAD FUNDS

## 2900.   SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

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

- (a) whether  any  complaints  have  been  received  regarding considerable  delay  in  releasing  funds  from  Member  of Parliament Local Area Development Fund despite the recommendations  by  the  Members  of  Parliament  which  is hindering development works;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether  any  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to simplify rules in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF STATE  FOR  MINISTRY  OF  EXTERNAL  AFFAIRS  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS [GENERAL (Dr.) V.K. SINGH (Retd.)]

- (a) & (b):   Complaints and references included, under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) are received in the  Ministry  from  time  to  time.  Data  on  year-wise  complaints  and action  taken  thereon  is  not  centrally  maintained  in  the  Ministry  of Statistics & Programme Implementation as the task of the Ministry is to ensure release of funds and to monitor the follow up of guidelines

laid  down.  Complaints  are  referred  on  receipt  to  state  and  district authorities for taking appropriate action.

(c) & (d): Release of funds under the MPLADS  at the Central Government level as well as at  the District  level  is  governed  by  the provisions contained in the Guidelines on MPLADS.

The  first  installment  of  MPLADS  funds  is  released  subject  to submission  of  provisional  Utilisation  Certificate  (UC)  of  the  previous year  for  at  least  80%  of  expenditure  of  the  first  instalment  of  the previous  year.  The  second  installment  is  released  on  submission  of Monthly  Progress  Report  (MPR)  reflecting  unsanctioned  balance  of less  than  Rs.100  lakh  and  unspent  balance  of  less  than  Rs.250  lakh with  the  District  Authority  along  with  the  Utilisation  Certificate  (UC) and Audit Certificate (AC) of the immediately concluded financial year. As  soon  as  the  requisite  documents  and  certifications  are  received, the funds are released by the Central Government.

The  District Authorities release funds to  the  Implementing Agencies in accordance with the State Government's rules/guidelines applicable for the purpose.

Funds under the MPLADS are non-lapsable, both at the end of the Central Government  and  at  the  end  of the District Authorities. Members of Parliament  can  recommend  works upto  their  full  annual entitlement  without  linking  with  actual  release  of  funds  and  District Authorities are required to undertake immediate sanction and implementation of the eligible works so recommended.

Government in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation continuously emphasizes on timely utilisation of funds and  timely  submission  of  required  documents  and  certifications  for further release of funds.

At present there is no proposal to modify the extant provisions in the Guidelines on MPLADS regarding release of funds.

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