PM to inaugurate National Seminar on Rural Roads tomorrow

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate here tomorrow, the two-day national conference on ''Rural Roads'' which will discuss the prospects of having all weather roads in the country.

Talking to newspersons here today, Rural Developemnt Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said the conference would provide a common platform for all concerned to raise various issues concerning rural roads in the country.

Mr Singh said economic growth is directly linked to the development and spread of the rural roads network in the country as it is expected to give a big boost to employment generation in the rural sector. The generaton of higher employment opportuities will also help in reducing pressure on the cities and metros, he added.

He said the seminar will focus on the ''Rural Roads Plan : Vision 2025" so that by 2025 all villages, having a population of 500, would have all weather road connectivity with the nearest city and adjoining tehasils, villages and other important locations.

The valedictory session will be addressed by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on May 24.

UNI