Modi calls for strict monitoring of projects under rural road scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for putting in place an effective mechanism for stringent quality monitoring of roads being built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and due monitoring of loans being given to self-help groups under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY).

Reviewing the progress of rural development schemes on Monday, he said quality checks for roads being constructed should be made at the material procurement stage, construction stage, as well as maintenance stage of the scheme.

Underlining that rural progress and prosperity are at the core of his government’s dream of creating a developed India, the PM teweeted: “Yesterday’s meeting on rural development schemes involved wide-ranging discussions on various schemes for developing our villages. Satisfying progress has been made in adding more roads in rural areas. We discussed best practices under PMGSY that are very beneficial.” 

Modi said the meeting also discussed aspects relating to the DAY, which seeks to alleviate poverty through sustainable livelihoods. “The PM was given a presentation on the progress of the PMGSY and DAY, by the NITI Aayog,” an official statement said.

An average of 91 km of rural roads have been built daily in 2015-16 fiscal, resulting in addition of 30,500 km to rural road length and connecting around 6,500 habitations.

The PM was also informed about the use of best innovative practices in PMGSY to further speed up rural road construction. These include the use of GIS and Space Imagery for planning and monitoring, efficient fund flow by minimising the number of layers and citizen grievance redressal through the app – ‘Meri Sadak’. 

“The Prime Minister directed the officials concerned to put in place an effective mechanism for stringent quality monitoring of the roads being built under the scheme. He said that quality checks should be made at the material procurement stage, construction stage, as well as maintenance stage,” the statement said.

On DAY, Modi was informed that so far, around 3 crore households have been linked to self-help groups (SHGs).

“The PM asked for due monitoring of the loans being given to SHGs, using Aadhaar. He emphasised that loans must reach the intended beneficiaries, for this scheme to be successful,” the statement said.

In a separate tweet, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that a record number of welfare and development schemes were launched in past 20 months of the NDA government, benefiting farmers, poor and downtrodden in various sectors. 

In separate tweets on the occasion of International Water Day, the Prime Minister on Tuesday said there was a need to spread greater awareness on water-related issues and collectively conserve precious water resources.

“Theme of ‘Water & Jobs’ illustrates the vitality of water in transforming lives & water’s paramount role in creating a better planet,” Modi said.

United Nations World Water Day is an international observance held every March 22 that provides an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues and take action on a current or future challenge to make a difference.