CIC wants break-up of how MPLADS funds are utilised

CIC wants break-up of how MPLADS funds are utilised

News

1. CIC (Central Information Commissioner) recommends legal framework to ensure MP’s accountability for utilization of MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) fund.

Important facts

2. MPLADS

• Each MP is given Rs 5 crore annually to be spent on projects of choice in his or her constituency.
• The scheme is funded and administered through Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). However, there are no details of how these funds are used.
• Projects are recommended and implemented by district level administration under MPLADS scheme.

3. CIC order came in the wake of report by MoSPI that Rs 12,000 crore funds of MPLADS have remained unspent.
4. CIC recommendations

• The offices of the Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker and the Rajya Sabha (RS) Chairman to make “legal framework” to ensure transparency under MPLADS.
• Every MP will have to submit a comprehensive report on MPLADS works after completion of his/her term to the Chairman of RS or the Speaker of LS.
• 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.
• The provisions for the secretarial staff of Parliament and the National Informatics Centre to aid and assist parliamentary parties in meeting transparency obligation.
• The ministry to make necessary changes to publish MP-wise, constituency-wise and work-wise details to ensure its voluntary disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act.
• Liabilities for any breach of duties should also be imposed, said the order. 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.