(a) Whether the Government is contemplating to remove or change the population
criteria for the hilly and difficult States under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY);
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) The steps the Government is taking to provide special benefits to those in remote
and forward areas which are not connected by roads?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)
(a) to (c) The primary objective of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is to
provide connectivity by way of all – weather road to all unconnected habitations with a
population of 500 persons and above (250 persons and above in case of Hill States and
Desert areas). No change in the population criteria for hill States under PMGSY is being
contemplated. Under Bharat Nirman, goal has been set to provide connectivity to all
habitations with a population of 1000 (500 in case of hilly or tribal areas) with all-
weather road by 2009.