The government has decided to set up a common facilitation centre in each district to provide information about progress of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

The modification in the MPLADS guidelines, to provide funds for setting up such centres was approved by Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena, an official release said.

According to the modified guidelines, an MP would be entitled for setting up of MPLADS Facilitation Centre in the nodal district for which, space or room would be provided by the District Collector or District Magistrate in the premises of Collectorate or DRDA (District Rural Development Agency).

It further stated that the capital cost of setting up such facilities, including equipments, furniture, etc, shall not exceed Rs 5 lakh, which will be met from MPLADS funds.

The main function of this facilitation centre would be to provide all information at one place relevant for the effective implementation of the scheme, to MPs, the statement said.

If a district has been opted by more than one MP, the Facilitation Centre will provide service to all these Members of Parliament, it added.

This facilitation centre would work under the direct control of the District Authority. It would also have persons on contract with adequate computer operating knowledge to manage the Centre, it said.

These facilitation centres would have computer with Internet facility and other related facilities.

The persons managing these centres would ensure that all the information about the on-going MPLADS works in the district, information on all the completed works, up to date financial information and up to date MPLADS guidelines and circulars are available in the facilitation centre, it added.