"...The guidelines permit purchase of vehicles and equipments meant for sanitation purposes belonging to central, state/UT and local self governments," Statistics Minister V K Singh said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
President Pranab Mukherjee in his address to the joint session of both the Houses on February 23 had appealed to all MPs to spend at least 50 per cent of their Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme for Swachh Bharat Mission.
MPLADS is for the development works and for creation of durable community assets. The recommendations/contributions by the MPs are voluntary as per the very nature of the scheme. The implementation of the scheme is governed by guidelines.
In a separate reply to the House, the minister said government has released Rs 35,656.25 crore since the inception of the MPLAD scheme in 1993-94 till February this year (2014-15).
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According to minister's statement, 89.92 per cent of the funds released by the centre under MPLAD scheme till February this year was utilised by states/Union Territories across India.
Under the MPLAD scheme, each MP has the choice of suggesting the District Collector about the works to be taken up in his or her constituency.
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 state in the country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.