(a) Whether the targets under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sarak Yojana
(PMGSY) have been scaled down during 2006-07 in comparison to 2005-06 ;
(b) If so, whether contracts for construction of such roads under PMGSY have
been awarded ;
(c) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor ;
(d)Whether any time period has been fixed for construction of these roads ;
(e) If so, the details thereof; and
(f) The steps taken for completion of the roads within the stipulated time ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(DR. RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH)
(a) to (f) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No.42 to be answered
on 24.11.2006.
(a)to(c) : No, Sir. For the year 2005-06, target was to construct 17454 Km of road
length to connect 7895 habitations. For the year 2006-07, the target is to construct
27250 km of road length to connect 9435 habitations. While the average allocation
for the programme during the period 2000-01 to 2004-05 was Rs.2458.60 crore, for the
year 2005-06 it was increased to Rs. 4220 crore. During the current year the budget
estimate is Rs. 5225.62 crore. To supplement the budgetary outlay, it is proposed to
raise additional sum of Rs. 4000 crore from a special window of National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). During the year 2005-06, 22785 Km
of road was completed providing connectivity to 8031 habitations. During the current
year also the targets are expected to be fully achieved. So far, projects amounting to
Rs.34584.52 crore have been approved out of which projects valued at Rs.8300.46 crore
were cleared during 2005-06 and upto October 2006 projects valued at Rs.7124.89 crore
have been cleared.
(d) and (e): Yes, Sir. Rural roads has been identified as one of the components of
Bharat Nirman and has set a goal to provide connectivity to all villages with the
population of 1000 (500 in case of hilly or tribal areas) with an all weather road by
2009. 66802 habitations are targeted to be provided connectivity with 1.46 lakh
Km of all weather roads by 2009. In addition, 1.94 km. of existing through routes
are targeted to be upgraded under Bharat Nirman. The total investment under
Bharat Nirman is estimated at Rs.48,000 crore.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is being implemented in
accordance with the programme guidelines. In plain areas the projects are to be
completed within a period of 9 working months from the date of issue of the Work
order. In case the period for execution is likely to be adversely affected by monsoon
or other seasonal factors, the time period for execution is extended upto 12 calendar
months. In respect of hilly States where the work is executed in two stages, this
time period will apply separately in respect of each stage.
(f) : Implementation of PMGSY is being monitored regularly both at the State
level and also by the Ministry of Rural Development. Since rural road is a State
subject, the State Government is responsible for ensuring the timely execution of
the road works. In case of delay in completion of the road works, the State
Government can take action against the contractor as per the provisions of the
contract. To increase the contracting capacity of States, amendments have
recently been made in the Standard Bidding Document which, inter alia others,
allows flexibility in the package size, participation of joint ventures and performance
incentive for timely completion of work.