Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
Also called: MPLADS · Topic: Parliament: Composition, Powers and Law-making · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
MPLADS is a central government scheme started in 1993. It lets each Member of Parliament recommend local development works in their area, worth ₹5 crore a year. The MP only suggests the works. District authorities approve them and carry them out. Critics say the scheme pulls lawmakers into executive work (government spending), which blurs the separation of powers.
Example
In Bhim Singh (2010), the Supreme Court upheld the scheme. Earlier, the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (2007) had urged scrapping it because it involves MPs in executive spending.
Don't confuse with
- Office of profit: a paid government post that can disqualify a legislator. Recommending works under MPLADS is not an office of profit.
Related concepts
- Qualifications for membership of Parliament
- Disqualification of members of Parliament
- Office of profit
- Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act 1959
- Double membership
- Vacation of seat for absence