Question: The Cabinet of the Central government has recently taken a decision to suspend the MPLADS to fight the COVID-19 for how many fiscal years?
(a)three
(b)two
(c) one
(d)four
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modihas decided not to operate Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) on April 6, 2020.
- The total amount of MPLAD Funds for 2 years is Rs 7,900 crores which will go to Consolidated Fund of India.
- These funds will be used to strengthen Government’s efforts in managing the challenges of COVID19 in the country.
- Along with this, Cabinet has also approved an ordinance reducing the salaries, allowances and pensions of Members of Parliament (MPs), Prime Minister, by 30 % for an year.
- The President, Vice-President, and the Governors have decided voluntarily 30% cut of their salary for an year.
- The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a programme launched in 1993 to provide funds for developmental works recommended by individual MPs in their constituency.
- The MPs of parliament are entitled to recommend works to the tune of Rs 5 crore annually in their constituency for works of developmental nature like construction of railway halt stations, financial assistance to recognised educational bodies, and could even be merged with other schemes such as MGNREGA and Khelo India.
Author: Himanshu Shukla
Links:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1611674
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/president-pm-take-30-pay-cut-centre-suspends-mplad-fund-for-two-years/amp-11586171945323.html
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/mplad-funds-covid-19-coronavirus-6350358/