No plans to allow MPLAD funds for temporary retail shops: Government

NEW DELHI: Government has no plans to allow funds under the MPLAD scheme for running make-shift grocery and consumer stores on public land by co-operative societies or disabled persons, Parliament was informed today.

The make-shift stores are commonly known as porta cabins. Movable and non-durable assets are generally not allowed under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation V K Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

"Commercial activities are also not allowed under MPLADS. There is no proposal for permitting porta cabins under MPLADS," he said.

Singh was replying to a query whether government proposes to set up porta cabins under MPLADS fund for operating grocery and consumer stores on public land by co-operative societies and disabled persons.

In 1993-94, when the MPLAD scheme was launched, an amount of Rs 5 lakh per MP was allotted.

This rose to Rs 1 crore per MP per annum from 1994-95 and Rs 2 crore per MP per annum from 1998-99. In 2011-12, the allocation was increased to Rs 5 crore.

Rajya Sabha MPs can recommend works in one or more districts in the state from where they have been elected.

The nominated MPs of both the Houses may select one or more districts from any state in the country for the implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.