PM hails Rajasthan government's performance

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hailed financial management attained by the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan and its performance in achieving goals of the 11th Five Year plan.

 

Addressing a formal meeting of the state Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries at the Raj Bhavan here, Singh said, "Rajasthan is one of the leading states to achieve financial parameters and the targets of the 11th Five Year plan."

 

Despite the peculiar geographical and natural conditions, Rajasthan has made remarkable progress in infrastructure development, health services, road development and commendable works in energy and social sector, he stated.

 

The state has also made good progress in bringing the minorities into the mainstream, he added.

 

The Prime Minister applauded the presentation made by Chief Secretary S Ahmed regarding flagship schemes of the state, initiatives for inclusive growth and good governance with maintaining transparency.

 

He said he was aware about the main issues of the state and would give due consideration to them.

 

Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh said approval had been given for construction of 3,600 km long roads in the state worth Rs 900 crore under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

 

The Centre had accepted Gehlot's suggestion regarding cement blocks to strengthen the internal roads in villages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), he added.

 

Ramesh said that, to provide potable water in 978 villages and seven towns of Nagaur district, the Rural Development Ministry had sent to Finance Ministry, a proposal of Rs 2,938 crore for Phase II of the Nagaur Lift Water Supply Scheme.

 

Gehlot reiterated the demand for the status of special state to Rajasthan and also sought a special package for drinking water, keeping in view the peculiar geographical conditions of the state.

 

He further sought Prime Minister's intervention in approval of state's 12th Five Year plan at Rs 1.92 lakh crore.

 

The Chief Minister also suggested that rural housing scheme should be included in MGNREGA and works of permanent nature should also be permitted under the scheme.

 

He requested Singh for allocation of coal blocks and coal linkage, launch of a "bullet train" between Delhi-Jaipur, construction of Delhi-Jaipur expressway, setting up of refinery in the state, increasing financial assistance for Jaipur Metro, fast tracking the Ratlam-Dungarpur-Banswara rail line project and electrification of the Delhi-Ahmedabad rail route.

 

Gehlot said the UPA government had given various schemes and programmes for public welfare and now the Right to Shelter should also be considered seriously.

 

He suggested that under Total Sanitation Programme, funds should be provided to construct toilets for all, regardless of BPL or APL families. The issue was related to the emotions of village people, he said.

 

Endorsing the Chief Minister's demand, the Minister also urged Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to provide additional funds for it.

 

Gehlot told the Prime Minister that hostels were being constructed for minority girls and madrasas were being modernised with the objective to bring minorities in the mainstream.

 

NNN

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