IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

MPLADS SCHEME

28th March, 2023 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

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Context: The Union Government has published updated guidelines to broaden the scope of the MPLAD Scheme.

New Updated Guidelines for MPLAD Scheme

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has published updated guidelines to broaden the scope of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Scheme.
  • According to the Revised Guidelines, Members of Parliament (MPs) now have more freedom to select the projects they want to pursue through the MPLAD Program, as long as such projects result in the production of long-lasting public assets that benefit society as a whole.
  • The MPs will not have to wait for the Ministry to release the funds before suggesting new projects as they would be given yearly drawing limitations at the start of each fiscal year, subject to certain requirements.
  • Several new provisions have been added while eliminating existing redundant ones.
  • All stakeholders involved in the fund flow process, including the district authorities, the Central and State Government agencies, and the MPs, will be able to track the status of funds and do work in real-time due to an IT platform that will be used for the process.

MPLADS Scheme

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/mplads-scheme#:~:text=The%20annual%20funds%20of%20Rs,the%20Member%20of%20Parliament%20concerned.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following Statement about the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLADS) Scheme;

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

2. The Ministry of Rural Development is responsible for the policy formulation, release of funds and monitoring of the implementation of the Scheme.

3. The annual funds of Rs 5 crore are released directly to the account of the Member of Parliament concerned.

Which of the following Statement is/are incorrect?

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: MPLAD Scheme is an ongoing Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 1993-94. The Scheme allows the Members of Parliament (MP) to recommend developmental works such as drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads etc, in their constituencies.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is responsible for the policy formulation, release of funds and monitoring of the implementation of the Scheme.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The annual funds of Rs 5 crore are released, in 2 equal instalments of Rs 2.5 crore each, by the Government of India directly to the District Authority of the Nodal District of the Member of Parliament concerned.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1911166