New Delhi: One of the first government casualties of the economic hardships inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic was the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), that was suspended for two years.
The Centre now wants parliamentarians to buy stubble clearing and super seeder machines using the available funds as a way to tackle to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the national capital. Meanwhile, no decision has been taken on reviving the scheme before 2022 even though several MPs, during the Monsoon Session, urged the government to do so in the interest of development.
In a letter to MPs, dated 11 November, the Rajya Sabha secretariat announced the changed norms that allow these machines to be bought using the MPLADS funds, and attached a circular from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation that was issued last month. The circular makes it clear that no additional funds will be made available for procuring these machines.
A senior official of the Rajya Sabha secretariat told ThePrint, “This pertains only to any sanctioned money that may still be lying unspent. No new funds will be granted for this purpose.”
The circular, numbered L-19/002/2014-MPLADS, read: “…references have been received from several quarters for allowing purchase of stubble clearing and super seeder machines under MPLADS on account of conditions of public health emergency arising every year before the onset of Winter Season: the proposal has been examined in consultation with ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare and effects state governments.”
“Keeping in view the health benefits that would accrue to the general public during the crop harvesting season by way of reduction of hospitalisation and treatment expenses due to foul air quality, it has been decided to allow purchase of stubble clearing and super seeder machines under MPLADS subject to the availability of funds and fulfilment of para 3.15 and 3.27 of MPLADS guidelines. Since the scheme has been made non operational by the cabinet for the year 2020-21 and 2021-22, no additional funds would be provided for the procurement of the above stated machines,” it added.
ThePrint has a copy of the circular that also fixes a ceiling of Rs 25 lakh per annum per constituency for buying the machines.
The pollution haze that has blanketed the National Capital Region for weeks now is largely believed to be a result of farmers burning stubble, a practice followed in states neighbouring Delhi.
Also read: Suspending MPLADS funds for coronavirus crisis is another stab at Indian democracy
Rs 5 crore available annually
The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division carries the responsibility of the implementation of MPLADS, funds under which are available to all MPs to undertake local area development in their constituencies.
Under MPLADS, each MP may suggest works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum to the district collectors in their constituency. Rajya Sabha MPs can recommend works in one or more districts in the state from where they are elected.
“During the last session, several MPs, especially from the Lok Sabha, had urged the government to revive the scheme at the earliest as there are a lot of pending development works in rural areas that need to be undertaken on an urgent basis. The government will have to decide on that,” Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy told ThePrint.
MPLADS was suspended for two years through a cabinet decision taken in April this year in an effort to reduce government spending in view of the projected loss of revenue following the lockdown and resultant economic slowdown.
Also read: MPLADS encouraged corruption, was poorly monitored. Its diversion to Covid-19 fund a wise move