The ailing problem of scarcity of furniture in Government schools may soon end, as the Centre has given a go-ahead to the Members of Parliament (MPs) to buy them from the funds they get in their kitty for local area development.
Under Members of Parliament local Area Development Scheme (MPlADS), an MP gets Rs 5 crore to spend on the development of their constituency. The fund was so far allowed to spend in works for construction of Government hospitals and educational institutions. But the latest circular states, “Recommendations for purchase of movable items such as furniture, equipment etc, cannot be made for the existing Government hospitals and educational institutions, except for primary and secondary schools belonging to Central, State or Union Territory Governments and local bodies and to Government-aided schools.”
“The requirement of furniture for schools is very genuine felt-need in the field. This need is all the more important for primary and secondary schools, where the children study. Also, this need is common for both the Government schools as well as the Government-aided schools,” said a release from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme implementation (MOSPI).
The Ministry, which so far only allowed the MPs to sanction funds in trusts and societies, also gave a nod to funding of cooperatives where there was no conflict of interest.
The release said that the cooperative movement not only promotes rural development but also prevents exploitation of the rural poor and under-literate. To keep infrastructure and public utility building works of the cooperative societies, which are for the public or community at large, outside the purview of MPlADS does not appear very appropriate, it said.
“The cooperative society should be in existence for the preceding three years and, in the opinion of the district authority, based on an objective assessment of performance and records should be well-reputed and dedicated to community and public good,” read the circular.
The Ministry also stated that the recommending MP or any of his family members should not be an office-bearer or member or having patronage of the cooperative society. Mutual funding by MPs will not be allowed.
The Ministry has also permitted the creation of a facilitation centre under the district authority in every constituency to provide all the information on the use of MPlAD funds. The Ministry has permitted the contractual recruitment of Data Entry Operator, within the 2% administrative charges.