The Union Government on Wednesday announced it had decided to restore the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme for the remaining part of the financial year 2021-22 and would continue it till 2025-26. Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur said this was being done in view of the “green shoots” in the Indian economy. “Funds under the scheme would be released at Rs 2 crore per MP for the remaining period of fiscal year 2021-22 in one go and at Rs 5 crore per annum per MP during FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 in two installments of Rs 2.5 crore each,” he explained.

The government had suspended the MPLAD Scheme amid the Covid-19 pandemic early last year to use the funds to fight the deadly virus. The decision had evoked a sharp reaction from the Opposition.The Congress had argued that it would undermine the role of MPs. The TMC had called the step “whimsical” and “undemocratic”.