The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved restoration and continuation of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which was suspended in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At a press conference, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the scheme has been restored for the remaining part of financial year 2021-22, and will continue till 2025-26. Funds will be released at the rate of Rs 2 crore per MP for the remaining period of 2021-22 in one instalment, he said. From 2022-23 to 2025-26, funds will be released at the rate of Rs 5 crore per annum to each of the MPs in two instalments of R2.5 crore each, he added.