Govt raps Bharat Nirman laggards on the knuckles
The Centre has decided to act tough on states’ failure to meet targeted development goals for rural India under its flagship programme Bharat Nirman.
By Subhash Narayan, TNN |
NEW DELHI: With the possibility of snap polls looming large, the Centre has decided to act tough on states’ failure to meet targeted development goals for rural India under its flagship programme Bharat Nirman. It is considering a proposal that would penalise states with lower allocations if the pace of work under the Rs 48,000-crore programme is not expedited and milestones achieved.
The Centre’s tough stand follows successive years of failure of Bharat Nirman programme that has, on an average, covered less than half the targeted habitations for coverage during 2005-06 and 2006-07, an official source said.
Bharat Nirman is a time-bound programme for development of rural infrastructure through joint efforts of the Centre and the state governments. Under the project, action is proposed in irrigation, roads, rural housing, rural water supply, rural electrification and rural telecom connectivity.
To start with, the Centre has asked all the state governments to submit an action plan for implementing Bharat Nirman programme within a week. This should include list of projects targeted for coverage under the programme complete with detailed project reports (DPR) and completion timelines. Centre could then decide measures to ensure states achieve the targets.
The government has also decided the ministry of rural development would monitor progress of works under the rural road component every month and Planning Commission every quarter. The programme generated disturbing figures at a recent review by the Planning Commission. Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand have covered just over half the targeted habitations in the programme’s first two years.
While Jharkhand had to cover 1,821 habitations under the programme during 2005-07, it could cover only 209 habitations, or 11.48%, of the target. For the same period, Bihar could achieve 39.99% of the target, Assam 47.74% and Orissa 49.96%. Even the Left-ruled West Bengal could achieve only 54.75% of the target.
Sources said the success of Bharat Nirman is also key to getting larger share of the vote bank in the event of general elections. With its coverage in large parts of rural India, the Centre is looking at using the development-oriented programme for political gains.
The Centre’s tough stand follows successive years of failure of Bharat Nirman programme that has, on an average, covered less than half the targeted habitations for coverage during 2005-06 and 2006-07, an official source said.
Bharat Nirman is a time-bound programme for development of rural infrastructure through joint efforts of the Centre and the state governments. Under the project, action is proposed in irrigation, roads, rural housing, rural water supply, rural electrification and rural telecom connectivity.
To start with, the Centre has asked all the state governments to submit an action plan for implementing Bharat Nirman programme within a week. This should include list of projects targeted for coverage under the programme complete with detailed project reports (DPR) and completion timelines. Centre could then decide measures to ensure states achieve the targets.
The government has also decided the ministry of rural development would monitor progress of works under the rural road component every month and Planning Commission every quarter. The programme generated disturbing figures at a recent review by the Planning Commission. Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand have covered just over half the targeted habitations in the programme’s first two years.
While Jharkhand had to cover 1,821 habitations under the programme during 2005-07, it could cover only 209 habitations, or 11.48%, of the target. For the same period, Bihar could achieve 39.99% of the target, Assam 47.74% and Orissa 49.96%. Even the Left-ruled West Bengal could achieve only 54.75% of the target.
ADVERTISEMENT
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have emerged the most successful with 89.95% and 99% targets achieved respectively. The Centre has also asked other states to adopt good practices of these states.Sources said the success of Bharat Nirman is also key to getting larger share of the vote bank in the event of general elections. With its coverage in large parts of rural India, the Centre is looking at using the development-oriented programme for political gains.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
