Centre of "not cooperating" on Gramin Sadak Yojana:Bihar

Bihar government today accused the Centre of "not not cooperating" with the state in the construction of roads under PM Gramin Sadak Yojana.

Bihar government today accused the Centre of "not cooperating" with the state in the construction of roads under PM Gramin Sadak Yojana.

HT Image

"The Centre is not cooperating with the state in construction of roads in rural areas under PM Gramin Sadak Yojana," state Rural Works minister Brishen Patel said.

Rejecting Union Rural Development Minister CP Joshi's charge that Bihar was not spending funds on construction of rural roads, Patel said despite several reminders the Centre had failed to release funds totalling to Rs 8500 crore under PMGSY over the last 10 years.

"We have not been able to clear the bills of contractors to the tune of Rs 1200 crore due to financial constraints though it is different matter that the Centre is singing a different tune," he said.

Patel said Nitish Kumar government had given big thrust on rural roads and the state government was in dire need of Rs 500 crore as allocation every month to complete the pending projects.

On Monday, Joshi had given a statement in Parliament that Bihar was at fault for not utilising funds earmarked for PMGSY.