With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), whic

Question

With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?MPLADS funds must be used to create durable sets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.A specified portion of each MP fund must benefit SC/ST populations.MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all work under implementation every year.Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme is for development works and creation of durable community assets. The emphasis is on creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs in the arenas of roads, electricity, drinking water, health and education etc. The recommendations of the works are made by the Members of Parliament for the betterment of the community. These works are executed by District Authorities in accordance with the respective State Government’s financial, technical and administrative rules. The scheme was announced in 1993. Initially the MPLADS was under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development. The MPLAD Scheme was transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in October 1994. The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crores. Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies. Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend works within the State of Election. Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country. Hence statement 2 is not correct.Statement 2 is correct: M.Ps are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15 per cent of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 per cent for areas inhabited by S.T. population. In other words, out of an amount of Rs.5 crores, a M.P. shall recommend for areas inhabited by S.C. population, Rs.75 lacs and Rs.37.5 lacs for areas inhabited by S.T. population. In case there is insufficient tribal population in the area of Lok Sabha Member, they may recommend this amount for the creation of community assets in tribal areas outside of their constituency but within their State of election. In case a State does not have S.T. inhabited areas, this amount may be utilized in S.C. inhabited areas and vice-versa. It shall be the responsibility of the district authority to enforce the provision of the guideline. In order to facilitate implementation of this guideline, it will be responsibility of the district authority keeping in view the extant provisions of State and Central Government’s to declare areas eligible for utilization for funds meant for the benefit of SC & ST population.Statement 3 is not correct: An important aspect of the MPLAD Scheme is that funds released under this scheme are non-lapsable i.e. if the money is not utilised, it gets carried to the next year.Statement 4 is correct: The District Authority would be responsible for overall coordination and supervision of the works under the scheme at the district level and inspect at least 10% of the works under implementation every year.