Funds Saved From MPLAD, Reduction In Salaries Of MPs Utilised For PMGKY, Vaccination And Improving Health Infra: Govt

The government on Thursday (23 July) informed that the funds saved from suspension of Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme and reduction in salary of MPs have been utilised for improving health infrastructure, providing ration to poors under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana and Covid vaccination.

"The ministry has so far released Rs 55497.24 crore to the Nodal Districts Authorities and the total expenditure incurred as on 09 July 2021 is Rs.53863.79 Crores under MPLADS," said Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

The Cabinet in its meeting held on 6 April 2020 decided not to operate MPLADS for financial Year 2020-21 and 2021-22, and placed the MPLADS funds for these two-years at the disposal of Ministry of Finance, he added.

Further, the Parliament passed “The Salary Allowances and pension of Members of Parliament Amendment Bill of 2020", whereby the salary payable to Members of Parliament was reduced by thirty percent for a period of one year commencing from 1 April 2020 to meet the exigencies arising out of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, he informed.

"The funds saved from the MPLAD Scheme and cuts from MP’s salary have been utilised to enhance the allocation of funds for improving health infrastructure, provide free ration under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, and free vaccination," Singh said.

Replying to a question on whether the government is planning restoration of the MPLADS fund in the near future, the minister said, "At present, there is no such proposal for restoration of MPLADS".