About PaisaWatch
PaisaWatch makes it easy for any citizen to see how MPLADS public-works money is spent across India, by state and by sector. Follow a state, filter the feed, view the spending map, and share what you find.
Where the data comes from
The live feed uses official MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) data published on data.gov.in by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. Two datasets are combined:
- State-wise MPLADS expenditure (₹ crore) and completed works, FY2016-17 to FY2019-20.
- Sector-wise split of sanctioned works (roads, education, drinking water, sanitation & health, public facilities, others).
India does not publish a per-MP, transaction-level spending API, so the live data is at state and sector level. Per-MP works data exists on the MPLADS portal but is not offered as an open API.
How the numbers are built
Each state's total expenditure is the official reported figure. The per-sectoramount applies that state's reported sector mix to its total, so state totals are exact, while the split within a state is a disclosed derivation. The “small / medium / large” label is purely the rupee size of a line item; it is not a judgement of merit or any allegation of wrongdoing.
Corrections
The linked source is always authoritative. If a figure looks wrong, check data.gov.in; we aim to correct verified errors quickly.
Who built this
This is a tool built by Vinod Ashok Chinnannavar, an independent civic project to make India's public data easier for any citizen to read.
Frequently asked questions
What is PaisaWatch?+
PaisaWatch is a free, non-partisan tool that shows how India's public money is spent and what elected representatives have declared. It maps MPLADS public-works spending by state and sector, and the affidavit and performance records of Members of Parliament and MLAs, with every figure linked to its official source.
Where does PaisaWatch get its data?+
MPLADS spending comes from data.gov.in (Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation). MPs' and MLAs' declared assets, liabilities and pending criminal cases come from their election affidavits, compiled by ADR/MyNeta. MP performance (attendance, debates, questions) comes from PRS Legislative Research, and Union Budget figures from the Ministry of Finance. Each record links back to its source.
Is the data accurate and real?+
Every figure comes from an official public record and links back to it. Affidavit data is self-declared by candidates, so we present it as declared, not independently audited. Where a record has not been published, we say so rather than guess, nothing is invented.
What does 'pending criminal cases' mean on a profile?+
These are cases the person themselves declared as pending in their election affidavit, charges that have not been decided by a court. They are NOT convictions, and showing them is not an allegation of guilt. Click the figure to see the actual declared cases at the source.
Why doesn't PaisaWatch cover all 543 MPs or all 4,120 MLAs?+
We only list people who have a verifiable public affidavit. ADR has analysed 485 of the 543 Lok Sabha MPs and most sitting MLAs; the remainder have no published affidavit, so we do not fabricate their numbers. The Coverage page explains exactly what is and isn't included, and why.
How do I look up my MP or MLA?+
Open the MPs or MLAs page and search by the person's name, their constituency, or their state. Each profile shows declared assets, liabilities, pending cases, education, and, for MPs, parliamentary attendance and activity.
How can I see where my taxes go?+
The dashboard shows the Union Budget breakdown, where each rupee of national revenue comes from and where it goes. The calculators let you estimate your own income tax and see how that amount maps onto national spending.
Is PaisaWatch free, and is it affiliated with any party or the government?+
It is completely free, with no login and no ads. It is independent and non-partisan, it only aggregates official public data and never editorialises or takes sides.
Who built PaisaWatch?+
PaisaWatch is an independent civic project built by Vinod Ashok Chinnannavar to make India's public data easier for any citizen to read.