(a) the details of the progress achieved in the growth of rural infrastructure under the
Bharat Nirman during 2006-07;
(b) whether there has been any major hurdle which has adversely affected the growth;
and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the
same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)
(a) The details of progress achieved in the growth of rural infrastructure under the six
components of Bharat Nirman during 2006-07 are as under:-
1. Irrigation: Upto September, 2006, about 550.20 thousand ha. of irrigation potentials
were reported to have been created for which an amount of Rs.2301.97 crore was
released.
2. Rural Electrification: 28706 villages were electrified providing free electricity
connection to 655773 BPL families. An amount of Rs. 3342.90 crore was released.
3. Telephone Connectivity: Till Feb., 2007, 17019 villages were provided with
Telephone Connectivity for which an amount of Rs.35.66 crore is reported to have been
released.
4. Rural Roads: 6775 habitations were connected during the year 2006-07 through
construction of 21422.85 kms length of new roads and upgradation of 46129.9 kms of
rural roads. An amount of Rs.6273.61 crore was released to the States.
5. Rural Housing: 14.75 lakh houses are reported to have been constructed during the
year for which an amount of Rs.2907.53 crore was released as Central share of allocation.
6. Drinking Water Supply: During the year 2006-07, 81945 Habitations were covered
under Safe Drinking Water Supply which includes Not Covered and Partially Covered
Habitations of Uncovered and Slipped Back Habitations besides, Quality Affected
Habitations. For this purpose, an amount of Rs.4543.65 crore was released.
(b) & (c): In implementation of components of Bharat Nirman like Rural Roads, some
constraints such as inadequate institutional capacity, inadequate contracting capacity and
delay in obtaining possession of land and forest clearance etc. are faced. In order to
accelerate the pace of implementation of the programme, the matter has been taken up
with the States to augment their institutional capacity and contracting capacity as well.