Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

Need for legal framework

  • MoSPI report showed that in February 2018, funds allotted to MPLADS but unspent stood at a total backlog of Rs.12,073.13 crore.
  • Conspicuous incidents of nepotism in allocating funds for projects.
  • Wastage of money in non- prioritised areas for electoral and monetary gains.
  • Lack of transparency in spending public money via these funds.
  • Discrimination is evident with the allocation of MPLAD funds within the constituency.
  • Use of MPLAD funds as a political plank for amassing votes.
  • Inadequate provisions for allocation of funds and absence of proper accountability mechanism.

Structure of the framework

  • The framework should make transparency a legal obligation, with all MPs and parties required to present the public and Parliament with a comprehensive report on the number of applications received for their constituency, works recommended, works rejected with reasons, progress of works and details of beneficiaries.
  • Liabilities for any breach of duties should also be imposed.
  • Further, the framework should prohibit and prevent MPs using the funds for their private works, or diverting them to private trusts or to their own relatives.
  • District administrations must provide regular information — work-wise, MP-wise, and year-wise details on progress — which are to be compiled by the MoSPI and made available to the public.
To know about the MPLADS Scheme, Click here

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

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