MPLADS scheme allows MPs ₹5 crore yearly for local projects – Launched in December 1993, the centrally funded Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme lets MPs recommend durable assets such as roads, schools and water facilities, usually within their constituency; during the 18th Lok Sabha ₹5,486 crore has been allocated, of which ₹1,453.69 crore is spent so far [1].
BJP alleges three Rajasthan MPs misused funds in Haryana – The party claimed Brijendra Singh Ola (Jhunjhunu) allocated ₹25 lakh, Rahul Kaswan (Churu) ₹50 lakh and Sanjana Jatav (Bharatpur) ₹45 lakh for projects in Kaithal district, Haryana, instead of Rajasthan, suggesting a political motive linked to Aditya Surjewala’s constituency [1].
Congress counters that cross‑state allocations are permitted – Ola argued the allocations follow 2023 MPLADS guidelines that allow up to ₹50 lakh per year outside an MP’s constituency or state, with a ₹1 crore ceiling for severe calamities, and accused BJP MPs of previous questionable use of MPLADS funds [1].
Historical data show high utilization of MPLADS funds – In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019‑2024) ₹4,837.87 crore was allocated, ₹3,639.53 crore spent (75.23%); 41,143 of 96,211 works were completed, with unused funds largely due to COVID‑19 disruptions; earlier Lok Sabhas recorded unused shares of 8.7%, 3.47% and 0.99% respectively [1].
Individual MPs highlighted for effective MPLADS spending – Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal (Punjab) used 63% of his ₹14.72 crore allocation for water projects; Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Choudhary (Kairana) maintains a geotagged MPLADS profile; BJP MP Tejasvi Surya (Bengaluru South) spent ₹19.36 crore; Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee (Diamond Harbour) completed 173 works and spent ₹6.13 crore [1].
Authors recommend workshops over scrapping the scheme – The op‑ed argues there is no case for discontinuing MPLADS; instead, short consultant‑led workshops could help MPs better utilize funds, noting that effective use benefits constituents and improves MPs’ re‑election prospects [1].