Question : SLOW PROGRESS OF WORK UNDER PMGSY

(a) the standard fixed by the Government for the construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY);

(b) whether the Government is aware that the pace of on going construction work in every State of the country under PMGSY is very slow;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has fixed/proposed to fix any responsibility on concerned officers for non-achievement of targets and undue delay in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(g) whether NABARD is also financing rural road; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU)

(a): As per the Guidelines issued under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), rural roads constructed should meet the technical specifications and geometric design standards given in the Rural Roads Manual of the IRC (IRC:SP20:2002) and also, where required, the Hill Roads manual (IRC:SP:48).

(b): A statement indicating physical and financial progress in respect of projects sanctioned to the States under PMGSY is annexed. From this statement, it may be seen that the pace of execution of projects is not very slow in every State.

(c) to (f): `Rural Roads` being a State subject, Projects under PMGSY are executed by State / UT Governments through their agencies. i.e. SRRDA (State Rural Roads Development Agency) for monitoring, financial management and coordination at the State Level and Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) for programme implementation at the district level. In the case of Bihar and Tripura, Central Agencies have also been entrusted with the implementation of PMGSY. Some of the reasons for slow implementation of programme are:-

# Constraint of non-availability of adequate technical manpower.
# Procedural delay in tendering and award of works.
# Inadequate capacity of the Programme Implementation Units.
# Adverse climatic conditions.
# Non availability of critical construction material.

Steps have been taken for stepping up the pace of implementation of the programme through enhanced allocation of funds, augmentation of contracting capacity through modifications in Standard Bidding Document, provision of interest free advance to the contractors for procurement of plant and machinery, training of field staff including contrtactor`s personnel, continuous and regular monitoring of the programme. States have also been advised to increase the number of programme implementing units, wherever necessary and also ensure timely completion of the process of tendering and award of projects.

(g) & (h): Yes, Sir. A tripartite agreement dated 27.9.2007 has been signed by National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD), National Rural Road Development Agency(NRRDA) and Ministry of Rural Development whereby NABARD has agreed to provide credit support upto Rs.16,000/- crore to NRRDA from a separate window under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for financing the rural roads component of Bharat Nirman.