Newmai News Network
Shillong | December 3
Meghalaya and Nagaland have failed to implement successfully the centrally-sponsored Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), according to Director and Coordinator of the National Rural Road Development Agency PK Khare. In spite of the many grievances related to insurgency or funding patterns, Nagaland and Meghalaya are far behind in building road connectivity in rural areas. All attributes goes to loopholes in the respective PWD functionaries, he said.
Khatre said statistics uncovered hard facts about the state PWD’s inadequacy to reach for funds even when it is available. Tripura has implemented Rs 400 crore and Assam another Rs 850 crore to improve road connectivity in the rural areas under PMGSY. It is astonishing that Meghalaya has utilized the minimal amount since its inception of the central schemes for rural connectivity, it was stated.
He categorically said that Meghalaya will have to work six times more to catch up with the target of the scheme that will sum up by 2014-15. According to Khare, Meghalaya will have another 4357 kilometers to cover from today in order to achieve the target rural connectivity in the seven years. The disclosure about Meghalaya’s dismal performance in implementing the central schemes is not because of the alleged “apathy” of the central government but the state government’s ‘lethargy’ in pushing with the scheme.
If sources are to be believed utilization certificates are not given at the right time and detailed project reports (DPR) are either not given or delayed. All grievances from the centre are on the state PWD and it is evident that a number of roads under the PMGSY are incomplete till date.
