Kerala | The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, organised a National-Level Brainstorming Workshop in Kochi on Friday to deliberate on the proposed revision of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Guidelines and enhancement of the eSAKSHI Portal. The workshop was held at Le Méridien, Kochi, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency, efficiency, and digital monitoring of MPLADS works.
The day-long workshop brought together around 120 representatives from all States and Union Territories, including officials involved in the implementation and monitoring of MPLADS at the state and district levels. The discussions focused on aligning the scheme with emerging governance needs and strengthening its technology-driven oversight mechanisms.
Focus on Digital Monitoring and Convergence
Key deliberations during the workshop included:
- Proposed new functionalities in the eSAKSHI Portal to enable end-to-end digital management of MPLADS works.
- Revision of MPLADS Guidelines to address implementation challenges and improve operational clarity.
- Modalities for convergence of MPLADS with new and existing government schemes, ensuring better utilisation of funds and wider public impact.
- Strengthening monitoring mechanisms to enhance accountability, transparency, and timely completion of projects.
Emphasis on Technology-Driven Governance
The workshop was inaugurated by Puja Singh Mandol, Additional Secretary, MoSPI. In her inaugural address, she underlined the importance of a robust and transparent technology-driven framework for effective implementation of MPLADS. She noted that the revision of guidelines, along with a strengthened eSAKSHI Portal, would play a critical role in improving accountability in the utilisation of public funds and ensuring timely execution of development works.
The event was also attended by Shri C. F. Joseph, Deputy Director General, MoSPI; Smt. Priyanka, District Collector, Ernakulam; Shri Mohd. Shafiq, Deputy Secretary and Director, Programme Implementation Evaluation & Monitoring Department, Government of Kerala; along with senior officers from State and Union Territory governments.
Way Forward
According to officials, the workshop served as a valuable platform for sharing best practices and field-level experiences, enabling constructive dialogue between central, state, and district authorities. The inputs and suggestions received during the deliberations will contribute significantly to the finalisation of the revised MPLADS Guidelines and further strengthening of the eSAKSHI Portal, with the larger objective of improving the effectiveness and public trust in the scheme.