NE states lags in execution of Bharat Nirman schemes

Shillong, Aug 13 (UNI) The Union Rural Development Ministry has asked the North Eastern states to ensure that Bharat Nirman targets affixed to them are achieved by 2009.

The ministry also asked the Secretaries of Rural Development department in states concerned, at a review meeting in New Delhi recently, to accelerate the pace of executing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), a component of Bharat Nirman.

All the states had been directed to ensure establishment of laboratory for every work site by the contractors to ensure first tier check. States had been asked to employ retired, reputed engineers as quality monitors.

The ministry had also emphasised on maintenance of roads and instructed the Secretaries to submit Detailed Project Report (DPR) by December 2008.

The ministry had identified that Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Assam were lagging behind in the execution of schemes.

The performance of these states was a cause for concern since they were lagging behind in the submission of DPR of the roads required to be completed, ensuring achievement of Bharat Nirman targets.

All villages with more than 1000 population (more than 500 in case of hilly and tribal areas) are required to be provided with all weather connectivity by 2009.

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