Patna: The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan, on Wednesday said the central government is committed to addressing Bihar’s development needs and will release funds promptly for rural infrastructure projects once the state submits the required proposals.
Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting with Bihar’s Rural Development Minister Shrawan Kumar and Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary, he said a survey is currently underway for the construction of 45,000 km of rural roads under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), with a total estimated cost of Rs 76,000 crore.
“The PMGSY is a continuous process, progressing through various phases. The sooner a state submits its survey report, the sooner the Centre can release funds,” Kamlesh Paswan said, citing Jammu and Kashmir as the first region to submit its report and receive funding.
He urged Bihar officials to expedite the survey process to avoid delays in fund disbursement. “We are ready. As soon as Bihar sends its survey, we will release the funds,” he added.
During the meeting, state ministers and officials raised several issues and submitted demands related to PMGSY, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and housing schemes. He assured that the Centre would “seriously consider” the demands and work to address them promptly.
Highlighting the Centre’s developmental initiatives over the past 11 years, the Union Minister said that the Modi government had made unprecedented strides in infrastructure, including road and air connectivity and healthcare facilities. “Dozens of Vande Bharat trains are operational, and the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ is being steadily realised,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister has visited Bihar more than 50 times, signalling the Centre’s commitment to the state.
Addressing the media separately, Bihar’s Rural Development Minister Shrawan Kumar said he had requested the Centre to clear Rs 200 crore in pending dues under MGNREGA. He also sought approval for the remaining housing units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for families from Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
“The number of homeless families in Bihar stands at 94 lakh, and is expected to rise with relaxed eligibility criteria under PMAY,” Kumar said. He also noted that the state is building 6,800 playgrounds using MGNREGA funds and has requested additional support from the Centre for the same.
