The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation Shri Srikant Kumar Jena has said that third party physical monitoring of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been undertaken since 2007-08. The NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) monitored 208 districts in the period 2007-08 to 2010-11.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Jena said, the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Ltd. monitored 100 districts in the year 2012-13. In addition, the Comptroller and Auditor General undertook Performance Audit of MPLADS in 128 districts in 2010-11. The cumulative position of funds allocated, spent and unspent under the MPLADS for the 15th Lok Sabha MPs during the last three years and the current year is as under:-

Rs. in crore

The Minister said, under the MPLADS, incurring of expenditure and concomitant release of funds take place continuously throughout the year. Funds are released on individual case-to-case basis on meeting the eligibility criteria as specified in the Guidelines. Funds are released to different Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha MPs at different points of time. Funds under the MPLADS are non-lapsable, both at the end of the Union Government and at the end of the District Authority. Time-limits are stipulated in the Guidelines for sanction and completion of works. In view of the nature and dynamics of the scheme, the unspent balances, which also include interest accrued, are bound to exist at any given point of time. The funds being non-lapsable, the unspent balances are utilized in the subsequent year (s).

Non-lapsable public development funds remain available for subsequent years under eligibility-based release and third-party monitoring oversight. Independent third-party monitoring and performance audits have reviewed district implementation and fund utilisation under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Funds are released case-by-case on meeting prescribed eligibility criteria and subject to stipulated time-limits for sanction and completion. The Scheme treats funds as non-lapsable at central and district levels, so unspent balances, including interest, are carried forward and utilised in subsequent years.