MPs can use MPLAD funds to construct bar association buildings

"The Ministry has also allowed that MPs may recommend their MPLADS funds for construction of buildings of bar associations provided the land belongs to the government," minister of state for statistics and programme implementation Srikant Kumar Jena said here in a statement after a review meeting of the scheme.

"Members of Parliament can now recommend their funds for purchase of books upto Rs 50,000 per annum for the bar association library in the lower and district courts," he added.

Under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme, started in December, 1993, each member of both the Houses gets Rs 5 crore every year for taking up developmental works in their respective constituencies.

"During the meeting, the Minister expressed his happiness over the fact that the MPLAD Scheme has been of immense benefit to the people of the country through creation of need based community assets", the statement said.

The Minister also lauded the performance of the scheme saying (fund) utilisation percentage is more than 88 per cent.

The day long 15th All India Review Meeting on MPLAD programme with nodal secretaries of states was organised here to take stock of the progress of implementation of the scheme.

The meeting was attended by officials from 50 districts besides the representatives of central ministries, Controller General of Accounts and the Planning Commission.