NEW DELHI: Concerned over the slow pace of funds utilisation, the Centre has decided to hold a meeting of Nodal Secretaries to review the implementation of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) on on Monday at Vigyan Bhavan here. As per the guidelines, the work of MPLADS shall be completed within 18 months from the date of demitting office in case of Rajya Sabha MPs or dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
District authorities should settle and close the account of the concerned MP after completing all other formalities in another 3 months’ time. However, as per the records, 566 accounts of ex-Rajya Sabha MPs are still alive. Similarly, balance of MPLADS funds left by the previous MPs have to be distributed among the successor MPs as per the MPLADS guidelines . A large amount of unspent balance funds of ex-Rajya Sabha MPs are yet to be distributed among the incumbent MPs despite the guidelines and circulars issued by the Centre from time to time, a senior official said.
Several complaints regarding the utilisation of MPLADS funds are pending with state governments. As per the ministry record, Koyamu Kunnath from Kerala has alleged misutilisation of MPLADS funds in Wayanad district for the construction of Wayanad Press Club, which, he says, is neither a registered organisation nor a pubic trust nor any other kind of organisation having public interest.
Similarly, Sunil Kumar Sahu from Odisha has complained that attempts are being made to construct a recreational club for advocates in place of a government building, demolished illegally in Nabarangapur. G Muralidhar Reddy from AP has alleged misutilisation of MPLADS funds by LS member S P Y Reddy.