'No plans to dilute rules for using MPLAD funds for SCs, STs'

There is a greater need to develop areas inhabited by SCs and STs, says Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena

Government has no plans to dilute the existing stipulation under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for usage of funds in areas inhabited by scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.

"There is no proposal at present to dilute any stipulation in this regard," Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena said in a reply in Lok Sabha to a question whether government was considering reviewing the guidelines in this regard.

Jena said MPs are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15% of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste (SC) population and 7.5% for areas inhabited by Scheduled Tribes(ST).

"There is a greater need to develop areas inhabited by SCs and STs in order to give special attention for the infrastructure development of such areas," he said.

He said out of Rs 5 crore, an MP shall recommend Rs 75 lakh for area inhibited by SCs and Rs 37.5 lakh for areas inhibited by ST population.

Jena said in case of insufficient tribal population in the area of MPs, they may recommend this amount for creation of community assets in tribal areas outside of their constituency but within their state of election.

Also, in case a state does not have ST population this amount may be used in SC populated areas and vice-versa.

The minister said that it is the responsibility of district authority to enforce these provisions.

"The district authority shall enforce the provisions...On the earmarked 15% and 7.5% of funding for MPLADS works in the SC and ST areas respectively," he added.

Under the MPLAD scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs five crore per annum to be taken up in his or her constituency.

The Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha can recommend works in one or more districts in the state from where he or she has been elected.

The nominated MPs of both the Houses may select any one or more districts from any one state in the country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.