713 schemes for Delhi''s rural areas approved

New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) To ensure development invillages in the capital, the Delhi Government today gaveclearance to 713 schemes, including for improving roads, to beimplemented in the areas at a cost of Rs 543 crore.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the RuralDevelopment Board after which Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan saidthe government is taking all necessary steps to improve thecondition of roads, parks, small drains and multipurposecommunity halls as well to ensure supply of water andelectricity in all rural areas.

He said officials concerned of DJB, MCD andelectricity department have been issued necessary instructionsin this regard.

He said a total of 713 schemes worth Rs 543 crore werecleared at the meeting.

"Apart from providing basic amenities to the people ofDelhi living in urban areas, the government is committed toprovide facilities to the people living in rural areas also.

He said the Board has successfully achieved its objectives,"an official release said.

Roads which are not being developed will be taken careof on urgent basis, he said, adding that MCD roads in ruralareas will also be developed by the Rural development board.

"We can not ignore the problems of the people livinghere," he said.

Reiterating his commitment for all round developmentof villages, Chauhan said since its reconstitution in the year2004 the Board has sanctioned 2374 schemes worth Rs. 931crore in its 15 meetings.

He also said that work on the sanctioned projectswould begin after the release of the new budget in April 2011.

He also said it has been decided in the meeting that theamount of Rs 200 crore which is already with the PanchayatDepartment would be spent on development of villages to whichit belongs.