MoSPI Data Exposes 75% Under-Utilization Of MPLADS Funds By DMK-Congress MPs From Tamil Nadu

Recently, Dayanand Krishnan, a GIS consultant from Chennai, uncovered concerning statistics through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to data obtained from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, approximately 75% of the funds allocated to the 39 Members of Parliament (MPs) in Tamil Nadu via the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) between 2019 and 2024 (excluding years impacted by COVID-19) have not been utilized.

The Ministry specified that the annual entitlement for a Member of Parliament under the MPLADS Scheme is ₹5 crore. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MPLADS was suspended from 6 April 2020 to 9 November 2021, with no funds allocated to the scheme for the financial year 2020-21. For the remaining period of FY 2021-22, ₹2 crore was allotted under the scheme for each Member of Parliament.

The release of funds is contingent upon meeting fund-related criteria and the submission of relevant documents by district authorities in accordance with the MPLADS Guidelines, 2016.

According to the response, MPs are not required to wait for actual funds to be released by the Ministry as they are allocated annual drawing limits at the start of each financial year, subject to certain conditions. In this case, the total allocation should have amounted to ₹663 crore, but as evidenced in the data, only ₹367 crore was disbursed, resulting in a 44.64% shortfall, as claimed by Krishnan.

The total expenditure exceeds ₹93 crore, indicating an unspent amount of approximately ₹274 crore, roughly equivalent to 75%, he added.

The highest allocation went to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) Chennai South MP T Sumathy, also known as Thamizhachi Thangapandian (₹14.7 crore), while the lowest allocation was for Arani MP MK Vishnu Prasad of the Indian National Congress (INC) (₹4.9 crore). Communist Party of India (Marxist) Madurai MP S Venkatesan has spent the most funds on various projects (₹6.39 crore).

According to the data, there was no expenditure listed under the Chennai Central and Vellore Parliamentary constituencies. The current Chennai Central MP is Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Dayanidhi Maran, and in Vellore, it is DM Kathir Anand of the same party.

Chennai South DMK MP T Sumathy, also known as Thamizhachi Thangapandian, has directed the allocated funds towards three distinct categories, all channeled through the Chennai Corporation, without allocating any portion to the surrounding panchayats of Chennai. With an allotted amount of ₹14.7 crore rupees, the total expenditure stands at ₹77 lakhs, reflecting a utilization rate of merely 18%.

The breakdown of expenditure reveals that a significant portion, amounting to 76%, has been allocated towards constructing bus stops or sheds, totaling ₹5.93 crores. However, concerns are raised regarding the necessity of constructing additional shelters where existing ones already serve, prompting questions about the allocation strategy and the distribution of these facilities. Despite this considerable investment, only two observed are evident, leaving uncertainty about the completion status of the remaining shelters. Moreover, it is notable that MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian has recommended 33 projects, all concentrated within the final three months of FY24, implying a significant surge in activity after a prolonged period of inactivity. Notably, all 33 projects are routed through the Chennai Corporation, with no projects earmarked for the panchayats surrounding Chennai once again.

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Chennai Central’s DMK MP, Dayanidhi Maran, stands out for his exceptional approach to managing funds allocated for public welfare. Remarkably, he has diligently safeguarded every rupee entrusted to him by the government, ensuring not a single penny has been spent. Despite being allocated an amount of ₹9.8 crores, there has been no expenditure recorded, resulting in a utilization rate of 0%. In November 2023 alone, he recommended 10 projects totaling ₹9.8 crores, reflecting his commitment to serving the community without compromising financial integrity.

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The DMK MP A Raja, representing The Nilgiris constituency, allocated a sum of ₹9.8 crores under the MPLADS scheme. However, only ₹37 lakhs has been utilized, reflecting a mere 3% expenditure. Notably, MP A Raja recommended 17 works aimed at constructing bus stops within the constituency. Interestingly, these bus stops varied significantly in cost, ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh each. This variance prompts the question, Why is there a lack of standardization in costs, even within the same district.

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The data revealed that work remains incomplete in 23 districts, including all three parliamentary constituencies in Chennai, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Tiruppur, Tiruchi, Theni, Chidambaram (SC), Thoothukkudi, Vellore, and Sriperumbudur.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

The MPLAD Scheme, established in December 1993, is a Central Sector Scheme with the primary goal of empowering Members of Parliament (MPs) to propose developmental projects, focusing on building sustainable community infrastructure in their respective constituencies. These projects typically target areas such as drinking water, primary education, public health, sanitation, and road development. Additionally, since June 2016, MPLAD funds have been allowed to be utilized for initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Accessible India Campaign , water conservation through rainwater harvesting, and the Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana.

The implementation of MPLADS involves MPs recommending projects to the Nodal District Authority, which is responsible for executing the approved works and maintaining records of expenditure. MPs receive ₹5 crore annually in two instalments of ₹2.5 crore each, and these funds do not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Lok Sabha MPs allocate funds for projects within their constituencies, while Rajya Sabha MPs allocate funds within the state that elected them. Nominated Members of both houses have the flexibility to recommend projects anywhere in the country.

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