Copyright infringement not intended

Context: The Prime Minister of India has expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

About

• The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was introduced by the Union Government in 2000 to connect isolated communities with decent all-weather roads.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is responsible for the implementation of PMGSY.

Objectives

• To connect unconnected Habitations with adequate all-weather roads. A habitation which was previously provided all-weather connectivity would not be eligible even if the current condition of the road is bad.
  • The program's unit is a Habitation, not a revenue village or a panchayat. A population concentration whose location remains constant throughout time is referred to as a "habitation."

Significance of Rural road Connectivity

• Rural road connectivity is essential for both rural development and lasting poverty reduction because it facilitates access to economic and social services, which increases agricultural earnings and creates chances for productive work in India.

Funding pattern

• The PMGSY was announced as the Central Sector Scheme; fully funded by the central government.
• After the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes made recommendations in 2015, it was declared that the project will be funded by both the Union government (60%) and the states (40%).
• In the North-Eastern and Himalayan States, the Union Government covers 90% of the project costs; in other states, the Union Government covers 60% of the costs.

Eligibility

• Unconnected settlements with a specified population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in northeastern, Himalayan, desert, and tribal areas according to the 2001 census).
• An unconnected habitat is at least 500 metres (or 1.5 km of path distance in the case of hills) away from an all-weather road or a linked habitat and has a population of a certain size.

PMGSY - Phase I

• It was launched in December 2000.
• Targets: Providing road connectivity to 1,35,436 habitations and upgradation of 3.68 lakh km of existing rural roads.

Phase II of PMGSY

• It was initiated in 2013 to upgrade the existing 50,000 km rural road network.
• PMGSY Phase I was still in progress, and PMGSY phase II called for upgrading the roads that had previously been constructed for village connectivity to improve rural infrastructure.

PMGSY - Phase III

• It was launched in July 2019.
• The duration of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25.
• It gives priority to facilities like; Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.
  • GrAMs are retail agricultural marketplaces for agricultural products located close to the farm that supports and facilitate a more effective exchange of the farmers' supply.
• It is proposed that 1, 25,000 km of road in the States be integrated under the PMGSY-III Plan.

Must Read Articles:

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana-43

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following Statement about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana; 1. It is under the authority of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). 2. It was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 3. It is not extended to Left Wing Extremism-affected Areas. Which of the following Statement is/are incorrect? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3  Answer: D Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: The PMGSY is under the authority of the Ministry of Rural Development. Statement 2 is incorrect: The PMGSY was announced as the Central Sector Scheme in 2000, and in 2015, it was declared as the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Statement 3 is incorrect: The government launched Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism affected Areas in the year 2016 as a separate vertical under PMGSY.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1912119