MPLAD Scheme, MPLAD योजना में बड़ा बदलाव, जानें 2024 के 5 नए नियम!
MPLAD Scheme All Information
MPLAD Scheme, Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme is the abbreviation for MPLAD. On December 23, 1993, the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was established by the Indian government. Its goal is to enable Members of Parliament to propose development initiatives within their districts, emphasising the creation of enduring community assets in accordance with regional requirements. This program was run by the Ministry of Rural Development.
However, its management was transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) in October 1994. In India, the MPLADS is a government-funded program. Every MP constituency is given Rs. 5 crore in funding each year. Every year, MPs are required to suggest projects that cost at least 15% of the MPLADS allotment for Scheduled Caste districts and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe areas. Projects from anywhere in the nation may be recommended by nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
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What is the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)?
Implementing the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is the responsibility of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division (MPLADD). Each MP may suggest initiatives up to Rs. 5 crores a year to be carried out in their respective areas under this scheme. Members of the Rajya Sabha have the authority to propose projects in one or more of the state’s districts. For their selected projects under the plan, nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are free to select one or more districts from any state in the nation. For the MPLADS Scheme, the Ministry has released thorough guidelines that address both implementation and oversight. To guarantee the successful implementation of the plan in the field, the department has taken all required steps.
The Indian government provides all of the funds for the centrally managed MPLADS plan system, which is distributed to district administrations directly in the form of aid grants.
The plan qualifies developmental projects that are always available to the general public and are based on locally identified requirements.
Activities that support national objectives, like drinking water supply, public health, education, sanitation, roads, and so forth, are given priority under the program.
Non-renewable funds are made available under the scheme. If eligible, funds that are not used in a given year are carried over to the next year.
Members of Parliament have a consultative function under the setup. They recommend their work to the appropriate district authorities, who then execute it using the procedures outlined by the state government in question.
The district authority can choose to implement agencies, prioritise projects, supervise overall execution, monitor the plan, and look into the eligibility of works sanction funds.
Through line departments, local self-governments, or other governmental organisations, the district authorities carry out their duties. In some cases, respectable non-governmental organisations are given the assignment by the district administration.
In their respective constituencies, Lok Sabha members are able to propose initiatives.
Anywhere in the state where they were elected, the Rajya Sabha members have the authority to approve projects.
Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha may select works to be carried out anywhere in the nation.
CAG Report on MPLAD Scheme
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) carried out a performance audit of 128 District Authorities from 35 states and Union Territories. The audit took place between 2004–05 and 2008–09, and the report was released in 2010.
The CAG saw cases of corruption and rule-breaking:
In certain instances, District Authorities accepted projects without the MPs’ advice or at a larger cost than anticipated, resulting in poor work sanctioning.
In around 100 districts, monies were used to produce non-permissible assets, such as office buildings for private or public organisations and construction projects for places of worship.
The approved expenses for Registered Societies/Trusts in ten states were more than the Rs. 25 lakhs cap.
In violation of accepted conventions, MPs in nine states and UTs directly suggested an implementation agency.
Due to the suspension or abandonment of unfinished projects, 11 states and union territories suffered an ineffective expenditure of Rs. 8.50 crore.
The new MPs in ten states did not inherit the unused balances from the former Rajya Sabha MPs.
The following problems were also brought to light by the audit:
There were delays found in the sanctioning of the job.
Ninety per cent of the District Authorities that were audited did not keep an asset/work registry.
The Ministry ought to have made sure that monthly progress reports were received on time.
There needs to be greater doubt about how state-level monitoring bodies operate.
From 2004–05 to 2008–09, 86 District Authorities from 23 states and UTs failed to inspect any work.
Constitutionality of the Scheme
A distinct separation of powers is not recognised by the Indian Constitution.
Despite being given an executive responsibility, MPs only have the authority to approve projects, which are then carried out by local governments.
Therefore, the design does not go against the separation of powers premise.
The Indian Constitution has characteristics of a quasi-federal system.
According to Article 282, as long as the goal has a “public purpose” as defined by the Constitution, the Union and the State are permitted to provide funds for it, even if the goal’s subject matter is not included in the Seventh Schedule.
Additionally, the Scheme satisfies the Directive Principles of State Policy’s definition of “public purpose” since it seeks to promote the welfare and growth of the State.
Because the plan is governed by the RTI Act, it also has robust accountability measures.
MPs are required to follow a specific structure when submitting their selection of the nodal district to the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
A copy should also be given to the State Government and District Magistrate of the chosen district.
An annual entitlement of Rs. 5 crores is distributed by the Indian government in two equal instalments. The District Authority of the selected nodal district receives this sum.
The Implementing Agency must be chosen by the District Authority.
The selected agency must be able to complete the eligible work in a timely, satisfactory, and high-quality way.
After all formalities are completed, the suggested work must be approved within 75 days of the recommendation being received.
Within 45 days of receiving the recommendation, the District Authority should notify the MPs of the refusal if the work is not approved within the allotted time.
If a project satisfies the MPLADS eligibility requirements, it can be converted into an individual or stand-alone project under the Central and State Government programs.
While monies from other sources should be used first, funds from local bodies can be combined with MPLADS projects. For the project to be completed successfully, MPLADS monies should be given later.
When a project under the Scheme is finished, it ought to be open to the public.
MPLADS Guidelines
In June 2016, the government unveiled the MP Local Area Development Scheme Guidelines. Key information from these guidelines is as follows:
According to the guidelines, MPLAD funding may be used to carry out the following projects:
Campaign for Swachh Bharat Mission Accessible India
Rainwater collection systems for water conservation
Adarsh Gramme Yojana Sansad
To build long-lasting assets, MPLADS funding can be paired with MNREGS and Khelo India Schemes.
Issues Related to the MPLAD Scheme
Federalism is violated since, according to the seventh schedule, the Union Government can only spend money on issues that are under its purview. MPLADS violates Part IX and IX-A of the Constitution by interfering with the authority of local self-governing bodies.
Conflict with Separation of Powers: By including MPs in executive duties, the plan violates the constitutional framework of separation of powers.
Implementation Gaps: The MPLADS program permits MPs to use monies for patronage, which could result in abuse. Instances of financial mismanagement and excessive spending have been found by the CAG. A connection between MPs and private companies is also alleged.
Absence of Formal Support: The MPLAD Scheme is at the whim of the governing administration since it lacks a formal foundation.
Suggestions from the Commission: The MPLAD plan should be immediately discontinued since it is incompatible with the ideals of federalism and power-sharing, according to the 2002 National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. Similar worries were expressed in the 2007 report of the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.
Q. The Local Area Development Scheme (LADS): What is it?
Asn: A government initiative called the Local Area Development Scheme, or MPLADS, enables lawmakers to promote development initiatives in their districts based on locally identified needs including roads, drinking water, public health, education, sanitation, and so forth.
Q. The MPLAD scheme was implemented when?
Asn: On December 23, 1993, the Indian government established the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.
Q. Mplads: Is it a central sector program?
Asn: It is true that MPLADS is a planning system with central assistance. The Indian government provides all of the funding for it.