Lok Sabha Committee on MPLADS has suggested the government allow Members to contribute more from their fund under the scheme to recommend reconstruction work in the event of any severe natural calamity.
At present, Members are allowed to contribute Rs 10 lakh every year for permissible work outside their constituency within a state and Rs 50 lakh in the event of a severe natural calamity in any part of the country under the Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.
Noting that this limit has remained static since 2006, the Committee headed by A K S Vijayan suggested that the ceiling should be increased taking into account the rising cost of raw materials and labour charges, among other things.
The committee, which tabled the report on Tuesday, has also suggested the ceiling for works outside constituency and within the state be raised to Rs 50 lakh from existing Rs 10 lakh.
Similarly it wants the limit for works in any part of the country in the event of severe natural calamity to be raised to Rs one crore from the existing Rs 50 lakh.
“Moreover, this increase would only be an enabling provision. It is for the Members of the Parliament to decide actual contribution from their MPLAD funds..,” the committee said.
Under the MPLAD scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works, a maximum of Rs 5 crore per annum to be taken up in his or her constituency.
The Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha can recommend works in one or more districts in the state from where he or she has been elected.
The nominated MPs of both the Houses may select any one or more districts from any one state in the country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.
