The MP Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD) was suspended for two years during the Corona pandemic.
Under the MP Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD) scheme, Rs 1723 crore of former MPs could not be spent. The Central Government has given this information to the Parliamentary Committee. Through these funds, MPs can spend up to five crores every year on the development works of their area.
The government also informed that the remaining money can be used only after all the sanctioned work of former MPs is completed and then their bank account is closed. It has been said on behalf of the government that these money of former MPs cannot be used directly by subsequent MPs. After the closure of the account, this money will be transferred to the current MP’s account, so that the remaining money can be used for development works.
At the same time, regarding these remaining funds, the committee told the government that it is expected that the ministry will find out the problems related to such a huge amount lying idle and the progress made in this regard will be apprised to the committee.
According to the report, an amount of Rs 1,175 crore is left under the MPLAD scheme under 470 installments of MPs in the 16th Lok Sabha . According to government data, Rs 5 crore has been given in two installments in the financial year 2015-16, Rs 55 crore in 22 installments in 2016-17, Rs 227 crore in 91 installments in 2017-18 and Rs 355 in 2018-19. .
The ministry also informed that 102 installments are pending in the financial year 2019-20 under this scheme in respect of 17th Lok Sabha. Let us inform that this fund was suspended for two years during the Corona era. Due to which development work was affected. However, it was reinstated after the corona cases decreased. After which the development work was resumed through the MPs.