Hyderabad: Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Seethakka has urged the Central government to allocate additional funds to the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and prioritise road connectivity in remote tribal regions.
Addressing the southern states’ regional meeting on PMGSY held in Hyderabad on Friday, the minister appealed to the Centre to bear 100 per cent of the project cost without imposing any financial burden on states.
Centre should fully fund road works under PMGSY: Seethakka
Seethakka said that until recently, the Centre fully funded road works under PMGSY, but revised guidelines now require states to bear 40 per cent of the expenditure. She requested the Union government to reconsider the policy change.
The minister also sought relaxation of restrictions and faster clearances for road construction works in forest areas, particularly in tribal districts such as Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad.
She pointed out that road projects in these areas are facing delays due to restrictions under forest and wildlife protection laws. The minister further requested the Centre to sanction more works under PMGSY-4.
Rural Development Secretary assures review
Responding to the concerns, Union Rural Development Secretary Aditi assured that the issues would be discussed at the central level and the possibility of granting special permissions would be examined, a press release said.
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