Question : AUDIT OF PROJECTS UNDER PMGSY

(a) whether the Government has made any assessment of the achievement made under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for expanding rural road connectivity in the country;

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

(c) whether the Government has conducted a social and physical audit of the projects undertaken under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY);

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the number of road projects under PMGSY have been executed by the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) within the stipulated period of nine months from the date of issue of the work order; and

(f) the details of projects, which have been delayed, State-wise?

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

(a) & (b) The achievements made under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are reviewed and assessed through the Performance Review Committee (PRC) meetings, the Empowered Committee (EC) meetings and various monthly and quarterly progress reports. State-wise details of achievements made under PMGSY upto September 2010 is given in annexure.

(c) & (d) Socio-Economic impact assessment of the Programme has been conducted which revealed significant improvement in indictors like, per capita income of sample households, frequency of motor transport, number of private transport vehicle in the village, reduction in mortality rate below 5 year age, attendance of teachers in school and land value in the villages connected by PMGSY roads.

(e) & (f) Rural Road is a State subject and PMGSY is a 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 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. In respect of hilly States where the work is executed in two stages, this time period apply separately in respect of each stage. For stage I of works in the hilly States, the time limit is upto 18 calendar months and for Cross Drainage works, exceeding 25 meter length, the time limit is 18-24 months depending upon the site conditions. 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.