New Delhi, 20 April (H.S.):

In view of the current situation in West Asia and its possible impact on global supply chains, commodity prices and inflation, the Rural Development Ministry has reviewed major welfare and infrastructure schemes being implemented across the country.

The ministry is closely monitoring the possible effects on rural employment, housing, road construction and water conservation programmes. It has taken necessary steps to ensure that beneficiaries receive assistance on time, funds remain available and the implementation of schemes continues smoothly.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial press briefing on Monday, Amit Shukla, Joint Secretary in the Rural Development Ministry, said that employment and wage security under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, will remain fully effective until the proposed VB-G Ram Ji Act, 2025 comes into force. He said there will be no disruption in providing work to rural households.

He added that all legal entitlements under MGNREGA, including the right to demand employment and timely wage payment, will continue as before. The existing wage rates fixed by the Centre will remain applicable. To ensure timely wage payments, the first instalment of about Rs 17,744 crore is being released.

Shukla said the new law is expected to provide a stronger guarantee of 125 days of employment once implemented, while revised wage rates will be announced separately.

Special attention is also being given to rural housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, which aims to achieve the goal of “housing for all” in rural areas. The target is to construct 4.95 crore houses by March 2029.

He said that, keeping in mind possible fluctuations in the supply or prices of construction materials, the ministry is focusing on timely DBT payments, monitoring through AwaasSoft, geo-tagging and the early completion of incomplete houses. Along with housing, coordinated benefits are also being provided for wages, toilets, drinking water, gas connections and electricity.

The government is also encouraging arrangements such as material banks to meet future requirements.

Road projects continue

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, projects are being approved according to the current rates proposed by states.

Shukla said that under PMGSY-I, II and III, as well as road projects in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, most works have already been approved or are at the tender stage. Some bridge-related works under PMGSY-III are still pending.

Under PMGSY-IV, about 12,100 kilometres of road work has been approved and is currently under the tendering process. For future projects, new rates will be applied in line with market prices and costs.

The Land Resources Department is implementing the Watershed Development Component under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 across 50 lakh hectares, promoting water conservation, agriculture, horticulture and pasture development.

The department is also coordinating continuously with the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry and other ministries to ensure effective implementation of the scheme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar