Parliament Question: Convergence of MPLADS with Major Rural Development Schemes

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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