Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Feb 19: Though Central Government has been liberally funding the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme aimed at constructing roads for linking unconnected habitation in rural areas, the State Government has chosen not to provide even funds for maintenance of these roads.
Peeved over the attitude of State Government, Union Ministry of Rural Development has shot off a letter bearing DO#P-17019/1/2011-P-1 dated February 14, this year to the State Government for violation of PMGSY Programme Guidelines, which dwell on the procedure to be adopted for timely deposition of maintenance fund by the State Government in the State Rural Roads Development Agency (SRRDA) account.
Commenting over the review of Maintenance Fund Report (MF-2), which had been submitted to the Ministry of Rural Department by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the letter written by Joint Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan says, “the Report submitted by your State for the year 2013-14 indicates that the Government is yet to deposit the full required amount in the maintenance fund account of the SRRDA”. This has happened despite the fact that the PMGSY Scheme is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme and the State has no obligation to provide funds for construction of these roads and has only to provide for their maintenance.
“While the State requires nearly Rs 3 crores for the maintenance of PMGSY roads, the Government has so far provided only funds to the tune of Rs 38 lacs, which is merely 13% of the actual amount required”, says the letter while expressing its dismay over the State of affairs.
While expressing the urgency to deposit the remaining amount, the letter says, “you would appreciate that there is an imperative need to credit the remaining amount for the current financial year in the maintenance account of the SRRDAs”, adding, “there is also a need to impress upon SRRDAs to quickly and effectively utilise this money for proper maintenance of PMGSY roads.”
Concerned over proper utilisation of Maintenance funds, the Ministry has advised the State Government to consider establishing a system to regularly monitor utilisation of maintenance fund by SRRDAs.
The letter says, “there is growing recognition that these roads act as sustained agricultural growth besides providing employment opportunities. Therefore, maintenance of these roads is critical to ensure sustainability of the benefits of rural roads.”
“Regular maintenance would not only prolong the life of PMGSY roads by reducing the rate of deterioration but would also safeguard the huge investments made in their construction by the Centre and the State Governments”, the documents says.
Referring to the GoI guidelines mentioned in para 17.5 to 17.5 of the PMGSY programme, the letter says, “the State Government should have deposited the maintenance funds on timely basis as per the guidelines mentioned in the prescribed procedure”.
As per the letter, Joint Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan while seeking the intervention of officials of State Government has urged them to apprise them of the status of funds to be provided by the administration.
Commissioner / Secretary PWD, Tanveer Jehan, when contacted, said, “there is absolutely no shortage of funds with the State Government for the PMGSY programme and the funds for maintenance of PMGSY roads are provided to the concerned Department, as and when the need arises”.
It is pertinent to mention that the Government of India had launched the programme of PMGSY in December 2000 to enhance the rural connectivity to all eligible habitations with all-weather roads.
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