New Delhi: The rural development ministry on Monday said it has reviewed its key schemes,
keeping in view the possible impact of the West Asia conflict on global supply chains,
commodity prices and inflationary trends, especially in building low-cost houses or roads in
hinterlands.
It is ensuring uninterrupted employment, timely fund flow, construction of houses and roads, and
livelihood security under its various schemes to protect beneficiaries against the war impact, the
ministry said in a statement.
Job security
The ministry said Rs 17,744 crore is being released as the first instalment towards wage payment
under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The programmed, the ministry stressed, will continue with all its benefits until it’s replaced by
the proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme later
this fiscal. The government has budgetted Rs 95,692 crore for the new scheme for the current
fiscal. Separately, it has allocated Rs 30,000 crore to honour any pending liabilities under the
MGNREGS until the new scheme is implemented.
Rural housing
The ministry, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), aims to build 49.5
million houses by March 2029.
It’s prioritising timely direct benefit transfer releases and accelerated completion of houses under
construction, as part of its preparations against possible material supply disruptions or price
fluctuations, the ministry said.
“Strong convergence support through mandays, sanitation, drinking water, LPG and electricity is
being ensured so that beneficiaries receive a complete package of basic amenities,” it said.
Structural measures, including the creation of material banks, are also being encouraged to
bolster resilience against future market volatility.
Rural roads
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), all sanctioned works under various
phases of the scheme and road connectivity projects for areas affected by left-wing extremism
are either tendered or under execution.
Under the fourth phase of the PMGSY, around 12,100 km of road works have been sanctioned
and are at the tendering stage.
“At present, the exposure to global volatility remains limited, as bitumen constitutes a relatively
small share of total project cost,” the ministry said.
Future project batches, it added, will be appraised to reflect prevailing market conditions and
cost trends.
Agri and natural resource resilience
Meanwhile, the land resources department is implementing the Watershed Development
Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 in five million hectares area to
boost water conservation, agriculture intensification, horticulture and pasture development.
The department, as per the statement, is working closely with the agriculture ministry and others
to address any emerging situation.
(SOURCE : THE ECONOMIC TIMES)
