BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that there was slow progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in Bihar. Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav had claimed that the work in the State was in Phase 2 when even Phase 1 had not been completed at a time when some other States were in Phases 2 and 3, he added.
The Minister replied that he had not meant that for Bihar and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked for a Bihar specific clarification.
Minister of Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar then said that Bihar had lagged behind in the 2001-05 period. There was paucity of land there unlike some other States, resulting in slower progress in the construction of rural roads under the PMGSY.
He, however, assured the House that Bihar’s money would be disbursed to it fully so that PMGSY work picked up pace in the State.