The Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved establishment of Haryana Rural Roads and Infrastructure Development Agency. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda told media persons after the meeting that this agency would undertake infrastructure projects, particularly rural road works approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, as well as "plan, execute, monitor and review the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna and other similar programmes'.

The responsibility of the maintenance of roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), once their five-year contractual period is over, is an issue which has "concerned" a parliamentary committee. The parliamentary standing committee on rural development which has submitted its report on demand for grants(2008-09) during the on going Budget Session in Lok Sabha, has noted that all roads constructed under PMGSY are covered by five-year maintenance contracts.

West Bengal has failed to meet targets set for several Central projects commissioned for rural development. The annual report of the Union ministry for rural development debunks claims of the CPI-M led state government that it has undertaken extensive development in rural areas. Projects where the state has failed include: n employment for villagers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) for 100 days; n construction of roads in rural areas to link unconnected habitations under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Bharat Nirman schemes, and

Public Works and Revenue Minister Thakur Gulab Singh today said a sum of Rs 10.25 crore would be spent on the widening and construction of drains, a bridge and tarring of 38-kilometre of the National Highway between Kullu and Manali. Accompanied by local MLA Govind Singh Thakur and Deputy Speaker Khimi Ram Sharma, Gulab Singh was addressing mediapersons here at the Circuit House. The Minister said an additional budget of Rs 4.6 crore has been sanctioned for the periodical renovation of the stretch of NH-21 right from Bhuntar up to Manali.

The process of development is never simple. It presents so many difficult questions: which programmes will be the most effective? What is the best way to reach those people in need of assistance? Are the government programmes we support making the difference we all want to see on the ground?

The Congress does not lose any opportunity to flay state governments, ruled by rival parties, of misappropriating funds disbursed under the Centre's flagship schemes.

"Madhya Pradesh is fast moving away from its 'rich state inhabited by poor people' image, and bring about changes in the industry, infrastructure and social welfare to help improve the living standards of the people and pull itself out of the red".

BHUBANESWAR: Forget about remote tribal pockets and Naxal-hit areas, this gram panchayat in Bhadrak district is going without power even after six decades of Independence.

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