Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

 

The Local Area Development Scheme known as MPLADS is a government scheme launched on 23rd December 1993. This central sector scheme was developed as an initiative to enable the parliament members to recommend developmental work in their constituencies based on locally felt needs. These developmental works mainly focused on the areas of national priorities such as drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads, etc. 

The scheme, Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was started by the late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. This scheme is now administered by the Ministry of Statistics and Implementation but was initially administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Key Features of MPLADS

In addition to the regular State Government departments and the three levels of Panchayats, the rural areas of many districts are also being serviced by Area Development Authorities/Rural Development Boards. These organizations receive sizeable grants from both the Union and the State Governments for schematic expenditure in their jurisdiction with emphasis on crop improvement, creation of minor irrigation facilities, up-gradation of local infrastructure and other area-specific needs. 

Government schemes are an important part of the UPSC syllabus. Aspirants must be thorough with the objectives and the activities of these major schemes for the IAS exam.

Some of the key features of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) are:

• It is a government-funded scheme where the annual fund provided to each MP constituency is Rs. 5 crores.
• The initial assistance under the MPLAD scheme was Rs. 5 lakh / MP. From 1998-99 onwards, this amount has been increased to Rs. 2 crore / MP and the amount currently available under this scheme has been increased to Rs. 5 crore rupees.
• Recommendation by the MPs should be done annually with works costing at least 15 percent of the MPLADS entitlement for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 percent for areas inhabited by the S.T. population. 
• A sum of Rs. 75 lakhs is provided for building assets by trusts and societies as per the scheme guidelines to encourage the trusts and societies for the betterment of tribal people.
• Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend works within the State of Election. Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country.

Implementation of MPLADS

• An MP is required to provide his/her choice of the nodal district to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in a prescribed format. A copy of the same should be given to the State Government and the District Magistrate of the chosen district. 
• The government of India releases an annual entitlement of Rs. 5 crores in two equal installments. This amount is given to the District Authority of the Nodal District selected by the concerned MP.
• The Implementing Agency should be identified by the District Authority. The Implementing Agency should have the capability to execute the eligible work qualitatively, timely and satisfactorily. 
• All the recommended works must be sanctioned within 75 days from the date of receipt of the recommendation after the completion of all formalities. If any work is not sanctioned within the prescribed time period, the District Authority shall, however, may inform the MPs regarding the rejection of the work within 45 days from the date of receipt of recommendations.
• The scheme can also be converted into individual/stand-alone projects under the Central and State Government schemes provided they meet the eligibility conditions of MPLADS. 
• Funds from local bodies can be similarly pooled with MPLADS works but the funds provided by other scheme sources should be used first. MPLADS funds should be released later for the successful completion of the project. As soon as a work under the Scheme is completed, it should be put to public use.

Nai Roshni Scheme - Indian Polity

In 2012- 2013, the Government of India launched a welfare scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development of minority women in order to inculcate confidence and empower them by providing knowledge and techniques. This topic is important for students preparing for the IAS Exam. Nai Roshni Scheme also spelled as, Nayi Roshni Scheme, is a part of the polity/social justice sections of the General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Syllabus.

Nai Roshni Scheme Objectives

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty. 
• It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights and help them grow economically thus strengthening civil society.

Training Modules under Nai Roshni

Advocacy for Social and Behavioral Change	Digital-Literacy
Educational Empowerment	Financial Systems
Health and Hygiene	Leadership of Women
Legal Rights to Women	Life Skills
Swachh Bharat

Nai Roshni Scheme Target Group

• Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian (Parsi) and Jain women notified under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 come under the target group.
• However, to further increase the strength of the mosaic of plurality in society and bring about solidarity and unity through their own efforts to improve their lot, the scheme permits a mix of women from non-minority communities not exceeding 25% of a project proposal.
• Efforts should be made by the organization so that a representative mix of women comes up from SCs/STs/OBCs. Also, women with disabilities and other communities are included within this 25% group.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Nai Roshni Scheme

• A study was conducted by NITI Aayog to evaluate the impact of the scheme on the minority and to identify the setbacks faced in the implementation of the scheme.
• The study covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 27 NGOs spread over 8 States namely Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• According to NITI Aayog, majority of the findings of the study indicate that the programme has been appreciated by a majority of the segments of the population and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and in developing leadership spirit in them.
• Trained women are utilizing their knowledge to help their families and neighbours in raising their essential demands and claims from various government authorities.

Recommendations of the Study

• Taking up more awareness programmes about the scheme.
• Inclusion of women from the general category. The scheme provides for the selection of 25 non-minority women.
• Longer periods of training.
• Including training modules on laws protecting the interests of women.
• Including persons with disabilities in the training module.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019

What is Citizenship Act 1955 ?

Along with the Constitution of India, the Citizenship Act, 1955, is the exhaustive law relating to citizenship in India. The conferment of a person, as a citizen of India, is governed by Articles 5 to 11 (Part II) of the Constitution of India. ... It is a punishable offence if the person fails to surrender the passport.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document.

There has been strong opposition to the bill in Assam and other Northeastern states.

Student organisations, political parties and socio-cultural bodies have been protesting on the grounds that it seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who have come into India up to December 31, 2014, thereby increasing the deadline from 1971 as per the Assam Accord.

Also, according to the Assam Accord, all illegal immigrants who have come after 1971, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported and this bill violates that.

Two BJP chief ministers of the Northeast -- Arunachal Pradesh's Pema Khandu and Manipur's N Biren Dingh -- have also voiced their opposition to the contentious Bill.

In February 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the bill is an "atonement of the wrong that was done during India's Partition. India will safeguard all who had been victims of the Partition". 

Why is the Bill facing criticism?
This proposed legislation has received considerable flak due to the perceived threat to minorities. While the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam did not distinguish illegal immigrants on the basis of religion, critics say the Bill is designed to exclude Muslims and favour Hindus.
According to detractors, the Bill also goes against Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to equality. The bill seeks to give citizenship on the basis of religion.

Article 14 of the Indian constitution of India provides that the state shall not deny to any person Equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws in the Territory of India.

What happens if bill passed ?

If the Bill is passed, persons belonging to these communities would not be jailed or deported under the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920 and the Foreigners Act of 1946. It sets December 31, 2014, as the cut-off date after which any person moving to India from these neighboring countries will be considered for citizenship.


What is the BJP’s political gain or loss from the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 ? 

References : Economic Times ,News 18