Parliament Question: Revision of MPLADS Funds

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.484 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 REVISION OF MPLADS FUNDS

484. SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME

IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for continuing the annual allocation under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) at Rs. 5 crore per Member since 2011–12, despite inflation and increased cost of public works;

(b) whether the Government has undertaken any review or assessment of the adequacy of the present MPLADS limit in view of current development needs;

(c) whether the Government proposes to revise or enhance the MPLADS annual allocation and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has prepared any time-bound roadmap or framework for increasing the MPLADS limit and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? 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) The Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 05.05.2026, approved the continuation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for the period from FY 2026–27 to FY2030–31, coterminous with the 16th Finance Commission period, with an annual entitlement of ₹5.00 crore per Member of Parliament.

(b) The primary objective of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is to enable each Member of Parliament to recommend developmental works based on the locally felt needs of the people, with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets for the larger public good.

The works permissible under the Scheme span a wide range of sectors, including public and community infrastructure, public conveniences, safety and security, education, public health, drinking water, and sanitation. While various Central and State Government Ministries and Departments implement sector-specific schemes in these areas, the MPLADS is intended to complement such initiatives by addressing locally identified development needs, providing last- mile connectivity, and bridging viability gaps, rather than replacing or duplicating existing schemes.

Further, to enhance the coverage and impact of works under the Scheme in line with emerging development needs, the Union Cabinet, while approving the continuation of the MPLADS, also approved convergence of MPLADS with more number of Central and State Government schemes as well as projects of local bodies. This decision, based on the recommendations of the Third-Party Evaluation of the Scheme conducted by the Ministry in 2025, is aimed at facilitating the execution of larger and more impactful projects through pooled funding, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Scheme and enabling Members of Parliament to recommend works of greater scale and wider public benefit without duplication.

(c) and (d) At present, there is no proposal under consideration to revise or enhance the MPLADS annual allocation. However, the Ministry receives and examines, on a continuous basis, the new suggestions from stakeholders, including suggestions for revision of entitlement of funds under MPLAD Scheme, following due process.

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