Lok Sabha Question No. 1916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Convergence of MPLADS with Major Rural Development Schemes
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1916 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

CONVERGENCE OF MPLADS WITH MAJOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES 1916. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of convergence between  the  Members  of  Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme (MPLADS) and major rural development schemes such as MGNREGA, PMGSY, SBM-G and Jal Jeevan Mission to avoid duplication of assets and optimise expenditure;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  guidelines,  standard  operating procedures or digital platforms enabling such convergence at the district and gram panchayat levels;
- (c) whether the Government has reviewed instances of overlapping works or under utilisation of funds due to lack of inter-scheme coordination and if so,
- the details thereof;
- (d) the details of status of the compliance by districts in uploading geo-tagged, time-stamped photographs of MPLADS works at various stages on the official portal and reasons for delays, if any; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  strengthen  monitoring, transparency and accountability through mandatory photo updates, dashboards and audits along with timelines for nationwide implementation?

## 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) to (c)  As per para 7.1 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, the MPLADS funds can be pooled with individual/ stand-alone projects of other Central and State

Government  schemes,  as  well  as  with  that  of  local  bodies,  provided  such works are otherwise eligible under MPLADS Guidelines. The projects taken up under the MPLAD Scheme span across various sectors such as public and community  buildings,  public  conveniences,  safety  and  security,  education, public  health,  drinking  water  and  sanitation,  irrigation,  drainage,  and  flood control systems. Given this wide coverage, there may be instances where the type of works taken up under other Central or State schemes overlap with those  undertaken  under  MPLADS.  However,  as  far  as  a  particular  work  is concerned, duplication of resources is strictly avoided. Wherever convergence of MPLADS funds with other schemes is undertaken, funds from other schemes are utilized first, and the MPLADS funds are used only to bridge the financial gap required for completion of the project. The Hon'ble Member of Parliament may recommend works, including those requiring convergence under MPLADS, through the eSAKSHI Portal.

(d) and (e) At present, uploading geo-tagged images of completed assets is not mandatory  on  eSAKSHI  portal.  However,  the  eSAKSHI  portal  provides  for uploading images of assets and relevant documents at each stage of payment processing and work completion. Implementing Agencies upload photographs of assets at different stages of completion, along with documents such  as  sanction  orders  and  related  records,  so  as  to  enable  correct interpretation and understanding by the public/ stakeholders.

With a view to enhancing transparency and accuracy Ministry has revamped the dashboard of MPLADS portal and has undertaken the following measures to revamp portal functionalities and improve the display of information on the public dashboard:

- A brief explanatory note detailing the Scheme implementation process, including the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders is now displayed before the public dashboard is accessed by public;
- A functionality has been provided for the Hon'ble Members of Parliament to upload images against completed works recommended by them; and
- A provision for re-uploading of images have been provided for Implementing Agencies and District Authorities in respect of completed works;
- The information displayed on the public dashboard now displays details relating  to  allocation,  recommendations,  sanctions,  completed works, calamity-related consents, and vendor payments against completed and ongoing works in a clear and simplified manner.
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