MPs lag in MPLAD

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Less than a year is left for the term of the 15th Lok Sabha to get over, but there is a significant backlog of work to be commissioned by MPs under their ambitious MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme. In the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam, may have the highest unspent amount since 1993, but has utilised as high as 84 per cent of the released funds. An MP can allocate work worth Rs 5 crore in a year, that include developmental task with emphasis on creation of durable community assets. A reason for spending less than what has been released, according to experts, is the lack of co-ordination between MPs and the local administration.