(a) whether the National Rural Road Development Agency has received any Action
Taken Report from States on National Level Quality Monitors;
(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(c) if not, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d) the provision to investigate/ look into the complaints of NQMs; and
(e) the number of persons found guilty after the investigation and the action taken
thereon during the last three years?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a)&(b) Yes Sir, Action Taken Reports (ATRs) on observations of National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are received
in National Rural Road Development Agency (NRRDA). The details of the Action Taken Reports from States on
National Level Quality Monitors are given in Annexure.
(c) Question does not arise.
(d)&(e) State Governments are responsible for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
It is also the responsibility of the States to ensure the quality of road works under the programme.
A Three Tier Quality Mechanism has been put in place for ensuring the quality of road works under the
programme. First Tier is in-house quality control and second tier is independent monitoring at State
level. These two tiers are the responsibility of the States implementing the programme. The Third tier
is envisaged as an independent monitoring mechanism at the central level. Under this tier, the independent
National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are engaged for inspections of roads, selected at random. The reports of
NQMs are handed over to the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) immediately after inspection and States
are required to ensure action on the observations of NQMs and furnish Action Taken Reports to the NRRDA.
Since, the States are responsible for implementation of the programme and ensuring quality of road works,
therefore, the States are also responsible for taking action against any individual held responsible /
found guilty for defective works.
With a view to ensure better accountability, the performance of NQMs is also reviewed through an independent
Performance Evaluation Committee. The observations of the Performance Evaluation Committee are placed before
the independent Selection Committee for recommendation. The decision about continuation of individuals as NQM
is taken by NRRDA on the basis of recommendations of the Selection Committee. During the last three years and
current year (up to July, 2010) 42 NQMs have been removed from the panel of NQMs.