Infrastructure & Investment | Economy for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Day – 10 
 
Infrastructure and Investment 
 
 
Sources Referred 
 
India year book 2018 Chapter 11 – Energy 
 
Articles from Kurukshetra and Yojana –  
 
Infrastructure for rural prosperity (December 2016- Rural Infrastructure) 
 
Road connectivity through PMGSY. Achievements, initiatives and challenges (December 2016- Rural 
Infrastructure) 
 
Moving Forward Together: Enabling Shared Mobility in India 
Http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Shared-mobility.pdf 
 
Vijay Kelkar Report 
 
 
  
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Day – 10 
 
Infrastructure and Investment 
 
 
Sources Referred 
 
India year book 2018 Chapter 11 – Energy 
 
Articles from Kurukshetra and Yojana –  
 
Infrastructure for rural prosperity (December 2016- Rural Infrastructure) 
 
Road connectivity through PMGSY. Achievements, initiatives and challenges (December 2016- Rural 
Infrastructure) 
 
Moving Forward Together: Enabling Shared Mobility in India 
Http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Shared-mobility.pdf 
 
Vijay Kelkar Report 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Articles from Kurukshetra 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL PROSPERITY 
INTRODUCTION: 
? Economic prosperity in rural India can only be achieved if the critical issues of physical 
connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity are addressed effectively. 
? There are many challenges that these places face including poor road connectivity, primary 
healthcare system, educational infrastructure and affordable housing. 
 
CONNECTIVITY FOR POVERTY UPLIFTMENT 
? With better roads and highways, there will be a better flow of business, trade and communication 
that will eventually enhance growth for all the stakeholders and overall for country.   
? A large part of India especially mountainous areas and remote villages are cut off from the 
network of roads, which needs to be connected. 
 
Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana 
? Connect  remote  hamlets  to  the  national highways,   
? The  Pradhan mantri gram  Sadak  Yojana  (pmgsy) for providing all-weather road connectivity 
to every rural  habitation  with  a  minimum  population  of 500 in the plains and 250-plus in hill 
states, tribal districts and desert areas 
Benefits: 
? Efficient supply chains and lower inventory costs 
 
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) 
? Central government took a major towards ensuring that  people can get a house within their 
financial capability. 
? The  rural  housing  scheme  will  help  achieve housing  for  all  by  2022  in  Rural  areas  across  
the country. 
? The  housing  scheme  will  have  linkages  with Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan  or  national  cleanliness 
mission   to   ensure   toilets   in   each   house,   with provision of an additional allocation of 
Rs.12,000 per household.  
? This will be coupled with 90-day wage provided under the governments flagship rural jobs 
programme under Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee   Act,    
? The  scheme  is  also  expected  to  generate employment  in  the  rural  areas,  especially  in  
the construction  sector   which   is   currently   the   2nd largest employers in India. 
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: Highlights 
? Government    to    construct    1    Crore    pucca (permanent)  houses  for  the  rural  poor  in  
the next three years.l the scheme is expected to boost job creation in rural areas. 
? The  project  will  be  implemented  in  a  span  of three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 with a 
budget of Rs. 81,975 crore. 
? Of the total estimated expenditure, rs. 60,000 crore will come from budgetary allocations and the 
remaining through Nabard. 
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Day – 10 
 
Infrastructure and Investment 
 
 
Sources Referred 
 
India year book 2018 Chapter 11 – Energy 
 
Articles from Kurukshetra and Yojana –  
 
Infrastructure for rural prosperity (December 2016- Rural Infrastructure) 
 
Road connectivity through PMGSY. Achievements, initiatives and challenges (December 2016- Rural 
Infrastructure) 
 
Moving Forward Together: Enabling Shared Mobility in India 
Http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Shared-mobility.pdf 
 
Vijay Kelkar Report 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Articles from Kurukshetra 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL PROSPERITY 
INTRODUCTION: 
? Economic prosperity in rural India can only be achieved if the critical issues of physical 
connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity are addressed effectively. 
? There are many challenges that these places face including poor road connectivity, primary 
healthcare system, educational infrastructure and affordable housing. 
 
CONNECTIVITY FOR POVERTY UPLIFTMENT 
? With better roads and highways, there will be a better flow of business, trade and communication 
that will eventually enhance growth for all the stakeholders and overall for country.   
? A large part of India especially mountainous areas and remote villages are cut off from the 
network of roads, which needs to be connected. 
 
Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana 
? Connect  remote  hamlets  to  the  national highways,   
? The  Pradhan mantri gram  Sadak  Yojana  (pmgsy) for providing all-weather road connectivity 
to every rural  habitation  with  a  minimum  population  of 500 in the plains and 250-plus in hill 
states, tribal districts and desert areas 
Benefits: 
? Efficient supply chains and lower inventory costs 
 
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) 
? Central government took a major towards ensuring that  people can get a house within their 
financial capability. 
? The  rural  housing  scheme  will  help  achieve housing  for  all  by  2022  in  Rural  areas  across  
the country. 
? The  housing  scheme  will  have  linkages  with Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan  or  national  cleanliness 
mission   to   ensure   toilets   in   each   house,   with provision of an additional allocation of 
Rs.12,000 per household.  
? This will be coupled with 90-day wage provided under the governments flagship rural jobs 
programme under Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee   Act,    
? The  scheme  is  also  expected  to  generate employment  in  the  rural  areas,  especially  in  
the construction  sector   which   is   currently   the   2nd largest employers in India. 
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: Highlights 
? Government    to    construct    1    Crore    pucca (permanent)  houses  for  the  rural  poor  in  
the next three years.l the scheme is expected to boost job creation in rural areas. 
? The  project  will  be  implemented  in  a  span  of three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 with a 
budget of Rs. 81,975 crore. 
? Of the total estimated expenditure, rs. 60,000 crore will come from budgetary allocations and the 
remaining through Nabard. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
? The cost of unit (house) assistance  is  to  be shared between central and state governments in 
the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for north-eastern and hilly states. 
? Beneficiaries of the rural houses would be chosen according to data taken from the socio-
Economic Caste Census of 2011. 
? An allowance of Rs. 120,000 in plain areas and Rs.130,000  in  hilly  areas  will  be  provided  
for construction of homes. 
? The  unit  size  will  be  enhanced  from  the existing 20 sq.mt. To up to 25 sq.mt. Including a 
dedicated area for hygienic cooking. 
? Provision of toilets at Rs.12000/- and 90/95 days of unskilled wage labour under mgnrega over 
and above the unit cost. 
? Funds will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiaries. 
? The beneficiary would be facilitated to avail loan of up to 70000 rupees for construction of the 
house which is optional. 
? Special Projects to be sanctioned to states based on situational exigencies and special needs. 
 
 
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: 
? In    November    2015, the    Union    Cabinet approved ‘Deen Dayal  Upadhyaya  Gram  Jyoti 
Yojana  (DDUGJY).’----- RGVVY -which dealt purely with electrification — was subsumed under 
it and this was lauched by Prime minister for power sector reforms in rural areas with a view to 
ensuring round the clock electricity supply to farmers and rural households. 
? the scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Power ministry and will facilitate 24x7 
supply of electricity. 
? The major components of the new scheme are –  
o feeder separation;  
o strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network;  
o metering at all levels (input points, feeders and distribution transformers);  
o micro grid and off grid distribution network &  
o rural electrification 
 
? Nearly  30  crore  people  in  rural  India  lack access to grid-connected power, promoting use of  
archaic  sources  of  energy  such  as  kerosene, diesel, wood-fired chulhas, etc, which not only 
results  in  huge  government  subsidies,  but  also substantial  health  and  environmental  
hazards.  
? Solar power offers an opportunity to bridge this massive infrastructure gap and improve the 
social, economic, environment and health indicators of 30 per cent of india’s population 
? Regular   and   reliable   electricity   could   have a galvanising effect in reducing poverty in rural 
India. 
 
  
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Day – 10 
 
Infrastructure and Investment 
 
 
Sources Referred 
 
India year book 2018 Chapter 11 – Energy 
 
Articles from Kurukshetra and Yojana –  
 
Infrastructure for rural prosperity (December 2016- Rural Infrastructure) 
 
Road connectivity through PMGSY. Achievements, initiatives and challenges (December 2016- Rural 
Infrastructure) 
 
Moving Forward Together: Enabling Shared Mobility in India 
Http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Shared-mobility.pdf 
 
Vijay Kelkar Report 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Articles from Kurukshetra 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL PROSPERITY 
INTRODUCTION: 
? Economic prosperity in rural India can only be achieved if the critical issues of physical 
connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity are addressed effectively. 
? There are many challenges that these places face including poor road connectivity, primary 
healthcare system, educational infrastructure and affordable housing. 
 
CONNECTIVITY FOR POVERTY UPLIFTMENT 
? With better roads and highways, there will be a better flow of business, trade and communication 
that will eventually enhance growth for all the stakeholders and overall for country.   
? A large part of India especially mountainous areas and remote villages are cut off from the 
network of roads, which needs to be connected. 
 
Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana 
? Connect  remote  hamlets  to  the  national highways,   
? The  Pradhan mantri gram  Sadak  Yojana  (pmgsy) for providing all-weather road connectivity 
to every rural  habitation  with  a  minimum  population  of 500 in the plains and 250-plus in hill 
states, tribal districts and desert areas 
Benefits: 
? Efficient supply chains and lower inventory costs 
 
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) 
? Central government took a major towards ensuring that  people can get a house within their 
financial capability. 
? The  rural  housing  scheme  will  help  achieve housing  for  all  by  2022  in  Rural  areas  across  
the country. 
? The  housing  scheme  will  have  linkages  with Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan  or  national  cleanliness 
mission   to   ensure   toilets   in   each   house,   with provision of an additional allocation of 
Rs.12,000 per household.  
? This will be coupled with 90-day wage provided under the governments flagship rural jobs 
programme under Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee   Act,    
? The  scheme  is  also  expected  to  generate employment  in  the  rural  areas,  especially  in  
the construction  sector   which   is   currently   the   2nd largest employers in India. 
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: Highlights 
? Government    to    construct    1    Crore    pucca (permanent)  houses  for  the  rural  poor  in  
the next three years.l the scheme is expected to boost job creation in rural areas. 
? The  project  will  be  implemented  in  a  span  of three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 with a 
budget of Rs. 81,975 crore. 
? Of the total estimated expenditure, rs. 60,000 crore will come from budgetary allocations and the 
remaining through Nabard. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
? The cost of unit (house) assistance  is  to  be shared between central and state governments in 
the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for north-eastern and hilly states. 
? Beneficiaries of the rural houses would be chosen according to data taken from the socio-
Economic Caste Census of 2011. 
? An allowance of Rs. 120,000 in plain areas and Rs.130,000  in  hilly  areas  will  be  provided  
for construction of homes. 
? The  unit  size  will  be  enhanced  from  the existing 20 sq.mt. To up to 25 sq.mt. Including a 
dedicated area for hygienic cooking. 
? Provision of toilets at Rs.12000/- and 90/95 days of unskilled wage labour under mgnrega over 
and above the unit cost. 
? Funds will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiaries. 
? The beneficiary would be facilitated to avail loan of up to 70000 rupees for construction of the 
house which is optional. 
? Special Projects to be sanctioned to states based on situational exigencies and special needs. 
 
 
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: 
? In    November    2015, the    Union    Cabinet approved ‘Deen Dayal  Upadhyaya  Gram  Jyoti 
Yojana  (DDUGJY).’----- RGVVY -which dealt purely with electrification — was subsumed under 
it and this was lauched by Prime minister for power sector reforms in rural areas with a view to 
ensuring round the clock electricity supply to farmers and rural households. 
? the scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Power ministry and will facilitate 24x7 
supply of electricity. 
? The major components of the new scheme are –  
o feeder separation;  
o strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network;  
o metering at all levels (input points, feeders and distribution transformers);  
o micro grid and off grid distribution network &  
o rural electrification 
 
? Nearly  30  crore  people  in  rural  India  lack access to grid-connected power, promoting use of  
archaic  sources  of  energy  such  as  kerosene, diesel, wood-fired chulhas, etc, which not only 
results  in  huge  government  subsidies,  but  also substantial  health  and  environmental  
hazards.  
? Solar power offers an opportunity to bridge this massive infrastructure gap and improve the 
social, economic, environment and health indicators of 30 per cent of india’s population 
? Regular   and   reliable   electricity   could   have a galvanising effect in reducing poverty in rural 
India. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
DIGITAL INDIA CONNECTING RURAL INDIA WITH MAINSTREAM 
 
? Technology will play a significant role for access to  quality  education,  healthcare  and  financial 
services in empowering people in non-urban and rural  areas  and digital  India  is  slowly  but  
steadily connecting rural India with the mainstream. 
 
? Strengthening  digital  infrastructure  in  rural areas  is  a  major  focus  area  under digital  India 
programme. 
 
? Farmers will be able to get information about  weather  such  as  rain  forecast,  wind  speed, 
etc.  By  using  features  like  sms, helplines, voice messages  etc. Information  about  crops,  
soils, climate, cultivation practices, financing, storage of produce and marketing in the farming 
communities will be available to every farmer at his finger tips so Indian  agriculture  and  farming  
sector  would  be  a big beneficary of expansion of digital india 
 
? By the year 2019, the ‘Digital india’ program of  India  envisages  that  250,000  Indian  villages  
will enjoy broadband connectivity, and universal phone connectivity 
 
? The national  Digital literacy mission  (ndlm ) proposes  to  provide information communication 
and  Technology  (ICT)  training  to  10  lakh  (Ten  lakh) persons initially, one in every eligible 
household in selected     blocks in each state/ U  t of the country developing   digital   infrastructure   
will   not only  help  in  technological  advancement  here, but  bring  a  large  so  untapped  
population  on the  same  page  as  the  rest  of  the  world. 
 
? The telecommunication  connectivity  with  rural  India will not only boost e-commerce or literacy, 
it will  certainly  enhance  the  dialogue  between  the citizens and government.  
 
? Activities like banking, providing   subsidies,   selling   crops   and   other agro-products would 
become easy and efficient for  the  rural  people. 
 
? It  will  also  positively  affect the  human  resource  development, GDP  of  the nation  and  
strengthen  democracy. 
 
  
Page 5


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Day – 10 
 
Infrastructure and Investment 
 
 
Sources Referred 
 
India year book 2018 Chapter 11 – Energy 
 
Articles from Kurukshetra and Yojana –  
 
Infrastructure for rural prosperity (December 2016- Rural Infrastructure) 
 
Road connectivity through PMGSY. Achievements, initiatives and challenges (December 2016- Rural 
Infrastructure) 
 
Moving Forward Together: Enabling Shared Mobility in India 
Http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Shared-mobility.pdf 
 
Vijay Kelkar Report 
 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
Articles from Kurukshetra 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL PROSPERITY 
INTRODUCTION: 
? Economic prosperity in rural India can only be achieved if the critical issues of physical 
connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity are addressed effectively. 
? There are many challenges that these places face including poor road connectivity, primary 
healthcare system, educational infrastructure and affordable housing. 
 
CONNECTIVITY FOR POVERTY UPLIFTMENT 
? With better roads and highways, there will be a better flow of business, trade and communication 
that will eventually enhance growth for all the stakeholders and overall for country.   
? A large part of India especially mountainous areas and remote villages are cut off from the 
network of roads, which needs to be connected. 
 
Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana 
? Connect  remote  hamlets  to  the  national highways,   
? The  Pradhan mantri gram  Sadak  Yojana  (pmgsy) for providing all-weather road connectivity 
to every rural  habitation  with  a  minimum  population  of 500 in the plains and 250-plus in hill 
states, tribal districts and desert areas 
Benefits: 
? Efficient supply chains and lower inventory costs 
 
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) 
? Central government took a major towards ensuring that  people can get a house within their 
financial capability. 
? The  rural  housing  scheme  will  help  achieve housing  for  all  by  2022  in  Rural  areas  across  
the country. 
? The  housing  scheme  will  have  linkages  with Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan  or  national  cleanliness 
mission   to   ensure   toilets   in   each   house,   with provision of an additional allocation of 
Rs.12,000 per household.  
? This will be coupled with 90-day wage provided under the governments flagship rural jobs 
programme under Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee   Act,    
? The  scheme  is  also  expected  to  generate employment  in  the  rural  areas,  especially  in  
the construction  sector   which   is   currently   the   2nd largest employers in India. 
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: Highlights 
? Government    to    construct    1    Crore    pucca (permanent)  houses  for  the  rural  poor  in  
the next three years.l the scheme is expected to boost job creation in rural areas. 
? The  project  will  be  implemented  in  a  span  of three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 with a 
budget of Rs. 81,975 crore. 
? Of the total estimated expenditure, rs. 60,000 crore will come from budgetary allocations and the 
remaining through Nabard. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
? The cost of unit (house) assistance  is  to  be shared between central and state governments in 
the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for north-eastern and hilly states. 
? Beneficiaries of the rural houses would be chosen according to data taken from the socio-
Economic Caste Census of 2011. 
? An allowance of Rs. 120,000 in plain areas and Rs.130,000  in  hilly  areas  will  be  provided  
for construction of homes. 
? The  unit  size  will  be  enhanced  from  the existing 20 sq.mt. To up to 25 sq.mt. Including a 
dedicated area for hygienic cooking. 
? Provision of toilets at Rs.12000/- and 90/95 days of unskilled wage labour under mgnrega over 
and above the unit cost. 
? Funds will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiaries. 
? The beneficiary would be facilitated to avail loan of up to 70000 rupees for construction of the 
house which is optional. 
? Special Projects to be sanctioned to states based on situational exigencies and special needs. 
 
 
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: 
? In    November    2015, the    Union    Cabinet approved ‘Deen Dayal  Upadhyaya  Gram  Jyoti 
Yojana  (DDUGJY).’----- RGVVY -which dealt purely with electrification — was subsumed under 
it and this was lauched by Prime minister for power sector reforms in rural areas with a view to 
ensuring round the clock electricity supply to farmers and rural households. 
? the scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Power ministry and will facilitate 24x7 
supply of electricity. 
? The major components of the new scheme are –  
o feeder separation;  
o strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network;  
o metering at all levels (input points, feeders and distribution transformers);  
o micro grid and off grid distribution network &  
o rural electrification 
 
? Nearly  30  crore  people  in  rural  India  lack access to grid-connected power, promoting use of  
archaic  sources  of  energy  such  as  kerosene, diesel, wood-fired chulhas, etc, which not only 
results  in  huge  government  subsidies,  but  also substantial  health  and  environmental  
hazards.  
? Solar power offers an opportunity to bridge this massive infrastructure gap and improve the 
social, economic, environment and health indicators of 30 per cent of india’s population 
? Regular   and   reliable   electricity   could   have a galvanising effect in reducing poverty in rural 
India. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
DIGITAL INDIA CONNECTING RURAL INDIA WITH MAINSTREAM 
 
? Technology will play a significant role for access to  quality  education,  healthcare  and  financial 
services in empowering people in non-urban and rural  areas  and digital  India  is  slowly  but  
steadily connecting rural India with the mainstream. 
 
? Strengthening  digital  infrastructure  in  rural areas  is  a  major  focus  area  under digital  India 
programme. 
 
? Farmers will be able to get information about  weather  such  as  rain  forecast,  wind  speed, 
etc.  By  using  features  like  sms, helplines, voice messages  etc. Information  about  crops,  
soils, climate, cultivation practices, financing, storage of produce and marketing in the farming 
communities will be available to every farmer at his finger tips so Indian  agriculture  and  farming  
sector  would  be  a big beneficary of expansion of digital india 
 
? By the year 2019, the ‘Digital india’ program of  India  envisages  that  250,000  Indian  villages  
will enjoy broadband connectivity, and universal phone connectivity 
 
? The national  Digital literacy mission  (ndlm ) proposes  to  provide information communication 
and  Technology  (ICT)  training  to  10  lakh  (Ten  lakh) persons initially, one in every eligible 
household in selected     blocks in each state/ U  t of the country developing   digital   infrastructure   
will   not only  help  in  technological  advancement  here, but  bring  a  large  so  untapped  
population  on the  same  page  as  the  rest  of  the  world. 
 
? The telecommunication  connectivity  with  rural  India will not only boost e-commerce or literacy, 
it will  certainly  enhance  the  dialogue  between  the citizens and government.  
 
? Activities like banking, providing   subsidies,   selling   crops   and   other agro-products would 
become easy and efficient for  the  rural  people. 
 
? It  will  also  positively  affect the  human  resource  development, GDP  of  the nation  and  
strengthen  democracy. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
ROAD CONNECTIVITY THROUGH PMGSY:  ACHIEVEMENTS, INITIATIVES AND CHALLENGES 
 
INTRODUCTION: 
? The PMGSY which came into being in 2000 as a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  which  
envisages  to provide single connectivity by way of all weather roads to all eligible unconnected 
habitations with a population of 500 persons and above (as per 2001 Census) in plain areas and 
250 persons and above (as per  2001  Census)  in  Special  Category  States,  Tribal (schedule-
v) areas, the Desert Areas and in selected tribal and backward districts. 
? In the blocks affected by insurgencies additional relaxation has been given to connect habitations 
with population 100 to 249 persons   also.   
? Programme   also   provides   farm   to market connectivity by way of up- gradating existing 
Routes and major Rural Links to prescribed standards, though it is not central to the programme. 
 
OBJECTIVES: 
? The  Mahatma Gandhi National  Rural   Employment Guarantee Act provides all weather rural 
road connectivity to   unconnected   villages   and   to   connect identified  rural  production  
centres  to  the existing pucca road network and construction of  pucca  internal  roads.   
? Rurban mission    also    aims    to    create    relevant infrastructure    in  rural  areas  and  one  
of  the components of the package of infrastructure covered  under  it    is    inter-road 
connectivity.  
 
VARIOUS INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN INITIATED RECENTLY TO INCREASE THE OUTREACH OF 
THE PMGSY 
? To improve the socio-economic status of rural people,  the  present  government  has  
substantially  increased  allocation   
? It has been decided  to advance  the decision to  complete targets three years before from 2022 
to 2019 of the programme. 
? The pace of construction has been improved substantially  
? Focus  on  using  green  technologies  like  waste plastic,  cold  mix,  cell  filled  concrete,  geo-
textiles have been used in the construction of roads. 
? “meri    Sadak”    App  has  been  launched  to facilitate    grievance  redressal  of  citizen’s 
complaints. 
? Gender and sc/st budgeting have been initiated for   inclusion   of   women   SHG’s   and   women 
Panchayat members at the time of preparation of detailed project reports. 
? Launching    the Pradhan  Mantri  Grameen Pariwahan Yojana (PMGPY) shorty to improve 
access to safe and secure transport facilities on Pmgsy roads. This initiative would help rural 
entrepreneurs,  farmers  and  workers  commute and transport goods as well.