Question : PMGSY IN UJJAIN

(a) whether most of the roads scheduled to be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Ujjain area of Madhya Pradesh have not been constructed even after ten years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, road-wise;

(c) whether gross irregularities have been detected in the road construction under the scheme;

(d) if so, whether any inquiry body was sent by the Union Government to investigate the roads of Ujjain area; and

(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the outcome, alongwith the action likely to be taken against the guilty officers/staff?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a)&(b): Rural Road is a State subject and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is one- time special intervention of Central Government to improve the Rural Infrastructure through construction of roads. The rural roads under PMGSY are constructed, maintained and owned by the respective State Governments. As such, the responsibility of timely completion of these roads and action for delay in completion of these lies with the State Governments. The programme guidelines provides for completion of the road projects within 9 working months from the date of issue of work order in plain areas which is extendable upto 12 calendar months in case work is affected due to monsoon or other seasonal factors. The executing agencies of the State Governments are expected to complete the road projects within time period stipulated in the programme guidelines. In case of delay, the relevant provisions of the Standard Bidding Document call for levying of liquidated damages and in case of persistent delay, the termination of contract. Any escalation in cost due to time overrun is to be borne by the State Government.

(c)to(e): A three-tier quality mechanism system has been provided in the programme guidelines to ensure quality of road works constructed under PMGSY. Whenever required, inquiry bodies of National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are constituted and sent to the States to look into the irregularities in the road constructed under PMGSY. During the period 2009-10 and 2010-11 (upto October, 2010) six complaints of irregularities pertaining to Ujjain district were investigated by NQMs. Out of these, irregularities were observed in three cases. The inspection report of the NQM for these cases was sent to the State Government for rectification and appropriate action on the observations indicated in the inspection reports and sending action taken reports. Any action on the lapses in execution of works is to be taken by the concerned State Governments.