The government last month announced convergence of the member of parliament local area development (MPLAD) scheme with the rural employment guarantee scheme MNREGA for creating more durable assets in the country.

“The government has received representations for allowing convergence of MPLADS with MNREGA. The matter has been examined and it has been decided to allow convergence,” a circular from ministry of statistics and programme implementation said.

As per the new guidelines for the scheme, 'MPs may recommend works from out of the shelf of MNREGA projects approved by the Zilla Panchayat for the year. But as far as possible, the MPLAD funds will be used in respect of material component only.'

According to the guidelines once a work is recommended for MNREGA, MPs will not be authorised to withdraw the same. In case of request of withdrawal of MPLADS funds, no objection certificate from MNREGA would be required.

For such projects where both schemes would be converged, the guidelines of MNREGA shall be strictly followed and the gram panchayat shall be nominated as the implementing agency by the district planning committee (DPC), the circular said.

The DPC shall provide adequate technical support to the gram panchayat to implement the works. Since the material and labour components are expected to flow simultaneously, it will not be necessary in these convergence cases for MPLADS Funds to be used only at the end. The accounts of expenditure would have to be maintained separately for both scheme.

A joint plaque indicating the cost involved, contribution from MPLADS/ MGNREGA, commencement, completion and inauguration and the name of the MP sponsoring the work under should be permanently erected, the circular added

Under the MPLAD scheme, sitting MPs are allocated Rs five crore per annum to spend on various types of development works.