New Delhi: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is hosting a two-day hands-on training workshop on the e-SAKSHI Portal, aimed at revising the fund flow procedure under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme. The event, held on June 20 and 21, brings together representatives from all States and Union Territories, as well as district officials.
The MPLAD Scheme allocates Rs. 5 crore to each Member of Parliament (MP), enabling them to recommend development projects that create durable community assets based on local needs. With an annual outlay of approximately Rs. 4000 crore, the scheme funds projects sanctioned by District Authorities. Following the revised MPLADS guidelines effective April 1, 2023, the e-SAKSHI portal was launched to streamline and enhance the transparency of the scheme’s implementation.
Previously, the entire process—from MPs recommending projects, to District Authorities sanctioning works, to payments to Implementing Agencies—was managed manually. MPs received authorizations only after completing the necessary paperwork. The new system, however, issues the Rs. 5 crore entitlement in one go at the start of the Financial Year, transitioning the process to a digital platform. This shift eliminates pre-conditions for fund release, improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Through the e-SAKSHI portal, MPs can now digitally recommend, view, and review projects with a click and OTP-based verification. They can also use the mobile app to recommend projects on the go. District Authorities can sanction projects and monitor implementation, with payments made directly to Implementing Agencies upon verification of completed works. The portal’s real-time visibility and tracking of projects and fund utilization ensure greater transparency and accountability.
Addressing the workshop participants, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI, highlighted the crucial role of State and UT Governments in the MPLAD Scheme’s successful implementation. He emphasized that the scheme directly impacts citizens and that the portal should be effectively used to implement, monitor, and analyze the scheme’s impact, ensuring its benefits reach the people.
During the workshop, the MPLADS Division of MoSPI is providing hands-on training to approximately 150 Master Trainers from various States and UTs on the e-SAKSHI Portal. The objective is to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to navigate and utilize the portal efficiently. These Master Trainers will, in turn, train district officials and more than 15,000 Implementing Agencies across 785 districts, ensuring the scheme’s successful implementation nationwide.
