Prelims 2020 · Q3
MediumWith reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?
- 1.MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
- 2.A specified portion of each MP's fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
- 3.MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
- 4.The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Only statement 3 is wrong. MPLADS money is non-lapsable: whatever is left with the district, or not released by the Centre in a year, is carried forward. The scheme's other rules are as stated — durable community assets, a fixed share for SC and ST areas, and inspection of at least 10% of works by the district authority.
- ✓ 1. The scheme lets MPs recommend developmental works with the emphasis on creating durable community assets such as drinking water, education, health and sanitation infrastructure.
- ✓ 2. The guidelines earmark at least 15% of each MP's annual fund for works in areas inhabited by Scheduled Castes and 7.5% for areas inhabited by Scheduled Tribes.
- ✗ 3. MPLADS funds are non-lapsable. Money left with the district is carried forward to later years, and funds not released by the Centre in a year are released in subsequent years.
- ✓ 4. The district authority supervises the works and must inspect at least 10% of the works under implementation every year, involving MPs where feasible.
Remember · MPLADS (1993, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation): durable community assets; funds non-lapsable; 15% SC areas, 7.5% ST areas; district authority inspects at least 10% of works a year.
Sources
- MPLADS Guidelines (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation), copy hosted by the Public Works Department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh ↗ · reference work “Funds released to the District Authority by the Government of India are non-lapsable. Funds left in the district can be carried forward for utilization in the subsequent years. … inspect at least 10% of the works under implementation every year. The District Authority should involve the MPs in the inspections of projects to the extent feasible. … The District Authority shall enforce the provisions made in the Paragraph 2.5 on the earmarked 15% and 7.5% of funds for MPLADS works in the SC and ST respectively.”
- MPLADS e-SAKSHI portal, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation: About the Scheme ↗ “with a focus on creating durable community assets and improving essential public services such as health, sanitation, education, and drinking water infrastructure.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·