**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Government of India's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the convergence of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) with major rural development schemes. It addresses concerns about duplication of assets, underutilization of funds, monitoring transparency and accountability. The response highlights existing guidelines, functionalities of the eSAKSHI portal, and measures taken to enhance transparency and accuracy. The question was raised on 11.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Convergence of MPLADS Funds:**
* As per the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, MPLADS funds can be pooled with individual projects of other Central and State Government schemes, and local bodies, provided the works are eligible under MPLADS Guidelines.
* Duplication of resources is strictly avoided; funds from other schemes are utilized first, and MPLADS funds are used to bridge financial gaps.
* Hon'ble Members of Parliament may recommend works requiring convergence under MPLADS, through the eSAKSHI Portal.
* **eSAKSHI Portal Functionality:**
* Uploading geo-tagged images of completed assets is not mandatory.
* The eSAKSHI portal allows the upload of asset images and relevant documents at each payment processing and work completion stage.
* Implementing Agencies upload photographs of assets at different stages, along with documents to enable correct interpretation by stakeholders.
* **Enhancements to MPLADS Portal Dashboard:**
* A brief explanatory note detailing the Scheme implementation process and stakeholder roles is displayed.
* Functionality for Hon'ble Members of Parliament to upload images of completed works is provided.
* A provision for re-uploading images for Implementing Agencies and District Authorities is available.
* The public dashboard now displays comprehensive details, including allocations, recommendations, sanctions, completed works, consents, and vendor payments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Members of Parliament (MPs)**
* **Impact:** MPs can recommend works requiring convergence under MPLADS and are now able to upload images of completed works they recommended via the eSAKSHI portal.
* **Action Required:** MPs should utilize the eSAKSHI portal to recommend works and upload images.
**Stakeholder: Implementing Agencies & District Authorities**
* **Impact:** Implementing Agencies are responsible for uploading photos of assets at different stages of completion, along with supporting documents.
* **Action Required:** Implementing agencies are to utilize the eSAKSHI portal for uploading images and relevant documents at each stage. They now have access to re-upload images in respect of completed works.
**Stakeholder: Public/Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** The public dashboard provides more detailed information about MPLADS projects, including allocations, recommendations, and vendor payments.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the enhanced public dashboard to monitor MPLADS projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS): A scheme that enables Members of Parliament to recommend developmental works in their constituencies.
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
PMGSY: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
SBM-G: Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin
Jal Jeevan Mission: A government initiative to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1916
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
CONVERGENCE OF MPLADS WITH MAJOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES
1916. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:
Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of convergence
between the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
(MPLADS) and major rural development schemes such as MGNREGA, PMGSY,
SBM-G and Jal Jeevan Mission to avoid duplication of assets and optimise
expenditure;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the guidelines, standard operating
procedures or digital platforms enabling such convergence at the district and
gram panchayat levels;
(c) whether the Government has reviewed instances of overlapping works or
under utilisation of funds due to lack of inter-scheme coordination and if so,
the details thereof;
(d) the details of status of the compliance by districts in uploading geo-tagged,
time-stamped photographs of MPLADS works at various stages on the official
portal and reasons for delays, if any; and
(e) the details of the steps taken or proposed to strengthen monitoring,
transparency and accountability through mandatory photo updates,
dashboards and audits along with timelines for nationwide implementation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE
(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) to (c) As per para 7.1 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, the MPLADS funds
can be pooled with individual/ stand-alone projects of other Central and StateGovernment schemes, as well as with that of local bodies, provided such
works are otherwise eligible under MPLADS Guidelines. The projects taken up
under the MPLAD Scheme span across various sectors such as public and
community buildings, public conveniences, safety and security, education,
public health, drinking water and sanitation, irrigation, drainage, and flood
control systems. Given this wide coverage, there may be instances where the
type of works taken up under other Central or State schemes overlap with
those undertaken under MPLADS. However, as far as a particular work is
concerned, duplication of resources is strictly avoided. Wherever convergence
of MPLADS funds with other schemes is undertaken, funds from other schemes
are utilized first, and the MPLADS funds are used only to bridge the financial
gap required for completion of the project. The Hon’ble Member of Parliament
may recommend works, including those requiring convergence under MPLADS,
through the eSAKSHI Portal.
(d) and (e) At present, uploading geo-tagged images of completed assets is not
mandatory on eSAKSHI portal. However, the eSAKSHI portal provides for
uploading images of assets and relevant documents at each stage of payment
processing and work completion. Implementing Agencies upload
photographs of assets at different stages of completion, along with documents
such as sanction orders and related records, so as to enable correct
interpretation and understanding by the public/ stakeholders.
With a view to enhancing transparency and accuracy Ministry has revamped
the dashboard of MPLADS portal and has undertaken the following measures
to revamp portal functionalities and improve the display of information on the
public dashboard:
• A brief explanatory note detailing the Scheme implementation process,
including the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders is now
displayed before the public dashboard is accessed by public;
• A functionality has been provided for the Hon’ble Members of Parliament
to upload images against completed works recommended by them; and
• A provision for re-uploading of images have been provided for
Implementing Agencies and District Authorities in respect of completed
works;
• The information displayed on the public dashboard now displays details
relating to allocation, recommendations, sanctions, completed works,
calamity-related consents, and vendor payments against completed and
ongoing works in a clear and simplified manner.
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