NEWS: Recently, a political controversy arose over alleged misuse of MPLADS funds across State boundaries

ABOUT

• MPLADS = Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
• Launched in 1993
• A Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Union Government
• Each MP can recommend works worth ₹5 crore per year
• Objective: creation of durable community assets

Long-term trend

• 16th Lok Sabha → only 8.7% funds unutilised
• 15th Lok Sabha → 3.47% unutilised
• 14th Lok Sabha → 0.99% unutilised

Identified issues

• Uneven utilisation by MPs
• Delays in execution
• Occasional politically motivated allocations
• Incomplete works

MPLADS can work well

• Some MPs have: Fully utilised funds, maintained transparent online dashboards, Used geo-tagged images for accountability
• Examples show: High project completion, Direct response to local needs, Better citizen trust

scrapping MPLADS is NOT advisable

• MPs are directly connected to constituents
• MPLADS allows micro-level interventions that large schemes often miss
• Voters can directly judge MPs on development work
• Poor utilisation can affect re-election prospects
• Majority of funds are spent on genuine development works

Key reforms needed

• Training workshops for MPs on fund utilisation
• Stronger monitoring by district authorities

Greater use of: Geo-tagging, Public dashboards, Faster execution mechanisms