Union Minister for Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today made the following statement on the status of implementation of the components of Bharat Nirman relating to the Ministry of Rural Development in the both Houses of the Parliament:
“Bharat Nirman is a time bound business plan of UPA Government for development of rural infrastructure over a period of 4 years i.e. 2005-06 to 2008-09 with a total estimated investment of Rs. 1,74,000 crore. Bharat Nirman comprises of six components out of which, three components namely, Rural Roads, Rural Housing and Rural Water Supply are being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development with an estimated investment of Rs. 85,000 crore. I wish to apprise this August House on the present status of the implementation of these three components of Bharat Nirman.
Rural Roads
During 2005-09, it was targeted to construct 1,46,185 km. of rural roads and to upgrade 1,94,130 km. of existing roads. So far, over 20,000 habitations have been connected and projects for connecting over 16,000 habitations are at different stages of construction. The projects are yet to be approved for about 23,000 habitations. So far, 55684 km. of new roads have been constructed and 78418 km existing rural roads have been upgraded/renewed.
So far, Rs. 29681.82 crore have been utilized (upto Feb., 2008). I would like to highlight that after launching of Bharat Nirman, average annual expenditure for rural roads has gone above Rs. 6800 crore per annum as against Rs. 1,937 crore as average annual expenditure during the period 2000-2005. In 2007-08, Rs. 11,000 crore has been allocated and for 2008-09, Rs. 14,530 crore is the budgetary outlay.
A Web-based on-line monitoring system (web address – www.omms.nic.in and www.pmgsyonline.nic.in) has been developed to facilitate timely monitoring of works under PMGSY.
Citizen information boards are displayed in local language at prominent locations indicating the cost and volume of materials used in each layer of the pavement.
All State Governments have been advised to arrange joint inspection of on-going as well as completed works under PMGSY by Hon’ble MPs/Hon’ble MLAs/MLCs/functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions and implementing agencies.
The government is committed to ensure excellent quality of construction. Systems have been put in place to ensure no compromise on quality front.
Three-tier quality monitoring is fully functional. So far over 45,000 road works have been inspected by National Level Quality Monitors.
Rural Housing
Under Bharat Nirman, 60 lakh houses are envisaged to be built over the period of four years. A total of 51.77 lakh houses have already been taken up for construction out of which over 49 lakh houses have been completed. Over 21 lakh houses shall be taken up in 2008-09.
The budgetary allocation has been substantially enhanced from Rs. 2900 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 5400 crore in 2008-09. For ensuring transparency in selection of beneficiaries, system of preparation of permanent IAY waitlist has been introduced. So far, 14 States have completed preparation of permanent IAY waitlist and displayed it at conspicuous places in the panchayats. Lists are also available in printed booklet form and on website of districts. Efforts are underway for ensuring completion of preparation of IAY waitlist in other States.
I am happy to share with the Hon’ble Members that the unit cost of IAY houses sanctioned on or after 1st April, 2008 has been enhanced from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 35,000/- in the plain areas and Rs. 27,500/- to Rs. 38,500/- in hilly areas. Similarly, for upgradation of an existing kutcha house, the financial assistance has been enhanced from Rs. 12500 to 15000 per unit. Further the Department of Fianncial Services have already advised the Reserve Bank of India to include IAY houses under the Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) and to lend upto Rs. 20000 per unit at an interest rate of 4%.
Rural Drinking Water Supply
Under Bharat Nirman, 55,067 uncovered habitations, 3.31 lakh slipped-back habitations and 2.17 lakh quality-affected habitations were to be addressed. Against which, from 2005 till date, 31,633 un-covered habitations, 2,13,901 slipped-back habitations and 93,896 quality-affected habitations have been addressed. During this period, 1,61,731 schools have also been provided with safe drinking water facility.
Under Bharat Nirman, financial allocation to rural drinking water sector has been enhanced substantially.
National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme has been launched in 2005-06, under which 5 persons in each village Panchayat are being trained for testing their own drinking water sources by using simple test kits provided. To tackle the problem of water quality, government has started focused funding to States for tackling water contamination.
Online monitoring system has been introduced to strengthen monitoring mechanism and transparency.
We are also committed to enhance the sanitation facilities in rural areas. As per 2001 Census, 21.92% rural habitations had sanitation facilities which have now gone up to 53%. Government has planned to achieve the objective of Total Sanitation Coverage by the year 2012. During 2005-08, over 3 crore toilets for individual households have been constructed, besides, constructing 3.99 lakh school toilets. Nirmal Gram Puraskar has been launched from 2005. About 40 PRIs were given award in 2005, which went up to 770 PRIs in 2006 and to 4,959 PRIs in 2007. This year more than 30,000 applications have already been received which shows that this campaign is getting the desired momentum. The achievements of the country in this sector are being appreciated by various international agencies.
I express my sincere gratitude to all the Hon’ble members for their continued motivation, support and active participation. I also request the Hon’ble members to monitor the implementation of above three components of Bharat Nirman as Chairpersons/Co-Chairpersons of District Vigilance and Monitoring Committees”.
SMK/ST/SK
(Release ID :38341)