Srinagar, Nov 10 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday restored the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which was suspended for financial year 2020-21 and 2021-22 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports reaching, Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today.
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the scheme has been restored for the remaining part of financial year 2021-22 and the scheme will continue till 2025-26.
He said that funds will be released at the rate of Rs 2 crore per MP for the remaining period of 2021-22 in one installment.
He added that from 2022-23 to 2025-26, funds will be released under the scheme at the rate of Rs 5 crore per annum to each of the MPs in two installments of ₹ 2.5 crore each.
In April last year, the government had suspended MPLADS during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, and stated that the funds would be utilized to meet exigencies arising due to Covid-19 outbreak.
Under MPLAD scheme, MPs can recommend development programmes involving expenditure of ₹ 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies. (KNS)
