Some of the projects under MPLADS remain incomplete even after 22 years: Saleng Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 4, 2024

Congress Tura MP Saleng A Sangma has expressed concern over the delay in the completion of the schemes under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) even after a lapse of over 22 years.

After attending a review meeting of the state level monitoring committee (SLMC) on Monday, Sangma said, “There are pending works from 2002 till date. I was wondering why after 20 years also, there are pending works of MPLADS despite the amount to be implemented is small. I don’t know what’s wrong with the system. 22 years is a joke.”

According to him, some of the pending works are of Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh.

“We have reviewed (the pending works) and the chief secretary has directed all the deputy commissioners to make sure that all pending works should be completed by December itself,” he added.

Sangma said there was an incomplete project at a college at Rongjeng. “They have spent around Rs 8.50 lakh out of Rs 10 lakh and yet it is not completed.”

Asked on the reason for the delay to complete the projects, the MP said maybe his predecessors have given to the wrong beneficiaries, who have failed to implement the projects.

“Since this is my first time meeting with the implementing agencies… It actually struck me why small works are still pending till date. I thought they might have a meeting about the new schemes but it is a review about the old schemes, which are yet to be completed,” he said adding “I don’t want to blame anybody right now. Previous MPs had already given to most of the beneficiaries but it seems that the beneficiaries have not completed their work.”

Stating that MPLADS is a very small scheme, Saleng said, “It is just to fill up the gap where some of the areas which are not getting from any other scheme like for example PWD, PHE, education, soil department – so those are the gaps. It is only Rs 5 crore for whole district. In my constituency, there are five districts, which we have to look after the whole area and moreover here likewise it is not that big but whatever it will definitely benefit the people at large.”

There were 37 schemes under the MPLADS 2023-24 of which 28 have been completed and 9 are ongoing.

As per report furnished by the DC, North Garo Hills, 30 of 54 schemes have been completed and 24 under progress, in West Garo Hills – 404 schemes completed and 29 under progress, South West Garo Hills – 37 completed and 87 under progress, South West Khasi Hills – 113 completed & 15 under progress, West Khasi Hills – all 7 schemes under progress, South Garo Hills – 9 completed & 2 under progress, East Garo Hills – 25 completed & 1 under progress, East Khasi Hills – 515 completed & 29 under progress, Eastern West Khasi Hills – 6 completed & 10 under progress, East Jaintia Hills – 36 completed & 22 under progress, Ri Bhoi – 20 completed & 17 under progress.