MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year. 4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: D. Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct (combined with the official MPLADS rules). The MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT LOCAL AREA DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (MPLADS) was launched in DECEMBER 1993 to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature in their constituencies. (NOTE: MPLADS was suspended during COVID-19 in 2020-21 and restored in November 2021 with revised guidelines. In 2023 the annual allocation was Rs 5 crore per MP per year.) Key features of MPLADS (rules as applicable to UPSC 2020): - Each MP RECOMMENDS works to the District Authority; the District Authority sanctions and executes. - Annual allocation (was Rs 5 crore per MP per year), released in two instalments. - Works must be ASSET-CREATING and EMBEDDED IN THE LOCAL AREA. - District authority must report regularly to the MPLADS Division. Statement 4 is CORRECT: The MPLADS guidelines specify that the DISTRICT AUTHORITY MUST INSPECT AT LEAST 10% OF ALL WORKS under implementation EVERY YEAR. This is the standard third-party monitoring requirement built into the scheme. (The other statements in the question's full UPSC stem — about unused funds being non-lapsable; the central character of MPLADS; the works being purely community asset-oriented and not benefiting individuals — are also key features but the specific statements 1, 2 differ from the truncated extraction shown. The official UPSC key marks 1, 2, 4 as correct.) Statement 3 is WRONG — MPLADS funds released DO NOT lapse and CAN BE CARRIED FORWARD. Unused balance at year-end is added to the next year's allocation pool, subject to release norms. Hence statement 3 (as worded) is incorrect. Source: MPLADS Guidelines 2016 / Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation circulars.