Members of Parliament (MPs) can now use Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for medical testing and other facilities required to detect and contain coronavirus. After this, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, and Ram Gopal Verma have donated RS one crore each from the MPLAD funds for coronavirus treatment. The move follows appeals by some MPs to use MP LAD for coronavirus treatment. As per earlier guidelines, MPLADS funds can be used only for permanent work.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation then issued fresh guidelines on Tuesday allowing the use of MPLAD fund for the purpose. As per the amendments to MPLADS Guidelines, MPs can now utilise funds under MPLADS for procurement of infra-Red thermometers (Non-contact) to enable doctors and medical personnel to record and track a person's temperature.
The ministry, based on the requests of MPs, has decided that district authorities may utilise MPLADS funds for medical testing, screening and other facilities required to detect and contain COVID-19, an order said. It has been decided to grant one-time dispensation under MPLADS fund to buy face masks, gloves and sanitisers for medical personnel,
coronavirus testing kits, thermal imaging scanners or cameras for railway stations and airports, and any other medical equipment to check COVID-19, among others, the ministry said in the order,
"Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Kits to keep the medical personnel well-protected and enable them to function efficiently by minimising the risk of transmission," the order stated. It also stated that with the help of these funds, thermal imaging scanners or cameras for railway stations, airports and other points of entry which allows detecting of temperature from a safe distance can also be purchased.
"Corona testing kits approved by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ICU ventilator and isolation/quarantine wards within their approved facilities and face masks, gloves, and sanitisers for medical personnel can be procured," the circular stated. The Government has also allowed procurement of any other medical equipment recommended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19.
Vivek Tankha, a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh. of the Congress thanked the prime minister and the government of India for relaxation in MPLADS rules permitting MPs to use public funds in the war against coronavirus. “This battle is everyone's responsibility,"
Tankha said. He said the parliamentarians will now be able to help the administration in providing assistance to the needy ones.