State Rural Development Department Minister Neelknath Singh Munda on Friday, highlighting the works of his department, said that 22,846 km rural roads have been constructed in last four and half years, while previous to Raghubar Das Government only 22,248 km of roads were constructed in 15 years. Similarly, since the creation of State till 2014, only 1,132 rural bridges were constructed, while during Das tenure in last four and half years, 558 rural bridges were constructed.
Munda said, “The improvement in infrastructure facilities the State has attained was mainly due to Raghubar Das Government giving much impetus to infrastructure growth.” The minister flanked by drinking water and sanitation secretary Aradhna Patnaik and other senior Government officials of Rural Development Department claimed that to give impetus to rural works, the department has focused on successful implementation of MNREGA. The department has ensured that there is timely payment of MNREGA employees.
Munda said, “Due to initiative of department around 98 per cent labourers working under MNREGA are getting timely payment. In the 2014-15 there were around 3.69 lakh schemes under MNREGA which has grown to 10.50 lakh presently.” The various schemes which are running under MNREGA are construction of Dobha, irrigation well, animal shed, toilets, Aanganwadi Bhavans and others.
The construction of Dovas is one of major schemes of State Government and Rural Development Department as its aims at water conservation. Another major scheme of Rural Development department is PM Awas Yojana.
Since the inception of PM Awas Yojana in 2016-17 till date the Department has set the target to construct 528791 houses out of which 454582 houses has been constructed till date which is nearly 86 per cent of the total target. Under the PM Awas Yojana houses are provided to poor families. The minister said, “The PM Awas scheme aims at providing affordable houses to poor especially in rural areas. Under the PM Awas construction of two rooms, kitchen, toilets and gas connection is provided to beneficiary.”
Similarly the Rural Development department is working on water conservation and in this direction 97 schemes are being run by the department.
The Minister also briefed about the various works being taken under Sansad Aadrash Gram Yojana. Under the Sansad Aadharsh Gram Yojana 51 panchayats are covered under the scheme out of which 46 schemes have been approved. Drinking water and sanitation secretary, Aradhana Patnaik said, “Under the Sansad Gram Yojana 4180 schemes have been approved out of which 1965 schemes have been completed. Under the Sansad Aadharsh Gram Yojana various departments works are being executed.”