Parliament Question: Inequality in MPLADs Works

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.617 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 INEQUALITY IN MPLADS WORKS 617. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA: Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of such cases in which Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) works of the MPs belonging to the opposition party are delayed and their works are not approved on time; (b) whether the Government proposes to take punitive action against such officers; (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; (d) the number of such works in Gurdaspur district of Punjab which could not be started or completed even after months of recommendations or are being repeatedly recommended; (e) whether the Government is likely to take cognizance in the matter in which the BDPO Dera Baba Nanak herself said in the DISHA committee in front of the entire administration that she would not get the work done from the MPLAD fund even if you go to court and she is under pressure of the local MLA; and (f) if so, the details thereof? 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) Under the MPLAD Scheme, Hon’ble Member of Parliament send their recommendations of development works directly toDistrict Authorities through eSAKSHI portal and the same are sanctioned and implemented by the District Authorities in accordance with the administrative, financial and technical rules of the concerned State/UT Governments and in accordance with the Guidelines on MPLADS. As per the MPLADS Guidelines, the Implementing District Authority shall, before sanctioning any work, ensure that all requisite statutory and regulatory clearances have been obtained from the competent authorities, that the work conforms to the MPLADS Guidelines, and that a written undertaking has been obtained from the concerned User Agency confirming its willingness to bear the operation and maintenance costs of the proposed asset from its own resources. As per Para 4.3.4 of the MPLADS Guidelines 2023, in case of material breach of MPLADS Guidelines by any individual/authority concerned, he/she shall become liable for disciplinary/penal action. The government of the State/UT concerned shall fix responsibility and take necessary disciplinary action against the erring/delinquent officials/implementing agencies/vendors etc. in all such cases of material breach and wilful non-compliance of MPLADS Guidelines. However, it has been observed that delays in the issuance of administrative and technical sanctions for works recommended under the MPLAD Scheme are generally attributable to factors such as submission of incomplete proposals, local disputes, constraints relating to land availability or site feasibility, requirements of statutory clearances, and technical issues at the district level. As per the MPLADS Guidelines, the responsibility for timely scrutiny, sanction, and execution of works rests with the District Authorities. Whenever instances of inordinate delay are brought to the notice of the Ministry, the concerned State/UT Government and District Authority are requested to examine the matter and take appropriate administrative action against the responsible officials under the applicable service rules. They are also advised to strengthen internal monitoring and oversight mechanisms to ensure timely implementation of works recommended by Hon’ble Members of Parliament. (d) to (e) As per Para 3.2.4 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, the sanction/rejection in respect of all recommendations made by the Member of Parliament shall be issued by the Implementing District Authority within 45 days from the date of receipt of the recommendations to the Implementing District Authority.As per para 3.2.6 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, the period of operation of model code of conduct notified by the Election Commission, as applicable to the jurisdiction of a particular Implementing District Authority, shall not be included in the reckoning of time limits as mentioned in para 3.2.4 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023. As per Para 3.2.12 of the MPLADS Guidelines, 2023, the sanction letter issued by the Implementing District Authority shall stipulate a time limit for completion of the work by the Implementing Agency, which should generally not exceed one year. In exceptional cases, for instance in difficult/ hilly terrain, etc., where the implementation time is likely to exceed one-year, specific justification for the same shall be incorporated in the sanction letter. As per the information available on the eSAKSHI portal as on 20.07.2026, out of the 304 works recommended under MPLADS in Gurdaspur Lok Sabha Constituency during 18th LS tenure, 4 works remained unsanctioned after 45 days of recommendation. Further, out of the 268 sanctioned works, 57 works have not been completed even after one year of sanction. As reported by the District Authority, the Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, issued a show-cause notice to the then Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Dera Baba Nanak, vide Letter No. 327 dated 15.06.2026. The District Authority has further reported that Letter No. 4412 dated 07.07.2026 was issued to the Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Gurdaspur, with reference to the proceedings of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held on 17.02.2026. Further, the State Nodal Authority, Punjab has informed that all the pending development works recommended by the Hon'ble Member of Parliament under MPLADS are being reviewed in accordance with the extant provisions of the Scheme for their timely execution and completion. *****