Rs 125 crore spent on developing model villages under PMRP

Jammu, Feb 7 (PTI) Of the Rs 142.80 crore earmarked for
the development of 119 model villages in India's northern
state Jammu and Kashmir, Rs 125 crore have been spent so far
under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP), an
official said here.

Besides, as many as 66 road projects have been taken up
for execution in the state under the Prime Minister's Gram
Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was
apprised at a review meeting of the functioning of the rural
development department here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah laid stress on full
utilisation of funds provided for the rural development under
various programmes.

A number of schemes under implementation could
revolutionise the village economy and ameliorate the lot of
people if completed within the fixed time frame, he added.

The meeting was informed that a member each from 2.55
lakh rural families have been provided wage employment under
the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGA) in
the state during the current financial year.

It was said that 2,805 development works have been
completed under NREGA in the state during the current
financial year which is likely to go upto 6,400 by the end of
fiscal.

The meeting was also informed that under Indira Awas
Yojana, as many as 9405 houses have been constructed in the
rural areas during the same period.

Around Rs 125 crore have been spent under PMRP for the
development of 119 model villages in the state in as many
blocks. The amount earmarked for the scheme, which has been
started in the year 2004-05 is Rs 142.80 crore.

Under the PMGSY phase-II, 66 road projects have been
taken up for execution in the state. Of this, 43 road projects
have been completed at an expenditure of Rs 49.58 crore so
far, while four projects are being completed by the end of
March 2009 and the rest by July 2009.

As many as 101 kilometers of roads have been constructed
under the PMGSY phase-II.

Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather underscored the
need for utilising the funds in consonance with the
specifications and guidelines laid for various programmes.

The Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar
said that he had held discussions at various issues relating
to the rural development with the officers both at Jammu and
Srinagar.

He said efforts have been made to successfully complete
the works and ensure that the benefits reach people at
grass roots.