Date:01/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/01/stories/2006030100741600.htm

Back Boost for Bharat Nirman

Allocation for the flagship programme has been stepped up by about 55 per cent to give it a further thrust.

Bharat Nirman epitomises the UPA's approach to governance. It is a paradigm shift that will enable us to use the resources thrown up by the engine of growth for building infrastructure and bringing basic amenities to rural India. In the first year of its implementation, 2005-06:

Rs 944.18 crore has been released so far as grant under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and the target of 600,000 hectares of irrigation potential is expected to be created this year.

Against the physical target of 56,270 habitations, 47,546 habitations have been covered until January 2006 under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Project

5,337 habitations were connected under the rural roads programme by September 2005.

870,000 rural houses have been constructed and a sum of Rs 2,260 crore has been released till January 2006.

The entire allocation for rural electrification of Rs.1,100 crore has been released and the target of covering 10,366 villages is expected to be achieved in the current fiscal.

17,182 villages have been provided with a telephone till December 2005 in the first year of the three-year programme.

These numbers are a complete answer to those who scoffed at Bharat Nirman. The budgetary support will have an increase of 54 per cent.