GUWAHATI : An effort on the part of the Public Works Department (PWD) of Assam to get funds from the World Bank for the development of the State’s road connectivity has finally paid dividends. The World Bank has already sanctioned the funds to the State PWD.

The funds of the World Bank will be used to build 1000-km of new roads in the State. In the first phase, Rs 1950-crore has been sanctioned for building 500-km of roads in different parts of the State.

With the Union Cabinet not taking up the much-anticipated amendments in the Lokpal Bill on Thursday, the fate of the anti-corruption legislation is now in a limbo.

The Union Cabinet has cleared a . 8,500-crore rural roads package to ensure growth and remove Maoist influence in forested tribal areas.

The Centre on Thursday cleared a Rs 8500-crore project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to connect 6000 habitations in the 78 naxalite-affected districts of nine states.

The Union Cabinet cleared the project, under which the money will be utilised for new connectivity and upgradation of these habitations, which will be an addition to the core network, approved in 2002 by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

The Centre will be providing separate funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for enhancing road connectivity in the six border districts of Punjab.

After patting on the back by announcing that he would give one per cent of the annual budget of the ministry for rural development (`99,000 crores) to the ministry of panchayati raj, Union minister Jairam Ramesh is faced with reality check — that it is not he who can do so, but Parliament only.

A few weeks ago, Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh announced that one per cent of his ministry’s annual budget, which would come to about `990 crores, would be given to the panchayati raj ministry.

The implication of bad roads
n Bad roads claimed 13 lives daily in the state in 2011
n As many as 26 persons were injured daily in the state in 2011

Dumka, April 29: Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh today frowned upon the state government and demanded greater reliability on the question of funds use after enduring a bumpy ride

Experts recommend use of green technologies including cold mix to expedite road construction

Gangtok: Sikkim’s Green Mission Programme started in 2006 has catapulted the State as among the most clean and green in the country. This has been possible due to the various innovative environment-friendly initiatives taken by the Green Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. Along with the protection and conservation of its rich biodiversity, the adoption of green rural roads in the State can play a vital role in the development of the State as well as help achieve its Green Mission Programme, said experts at a media workshop on Tuesday.

Maharashtra has secured the top position in the country for effective implementation of panchayati raj system in rural areas.