New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the Union Cabinet's decision of providing mobile services to over 7,000 villages will take the fruits of technology to aspirational districts across five states and will also contribute to social empowerment.
"An important Cabinet decision, which will take the fruits of technology to our Aspirational Districts across five states and contribute to social empowerment," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet gave its approval for the provision of mobile services in uncovered villages of aspirational districts across five states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha. As per an official release, the decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
"The project envisages to provide 4G based mobile services in the 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 aspirational districts across the said five states at an estimated cost of implementation about Rs 6,466 crore including operational expenses for 5 years," the release said.
"The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The project will be completed within 18 months after the signing of the Agreement and likely to be completed by November 23," it added.
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The Prime Minister also that the Cabinet's decision on expanding the roads network will enhance rural development and help remote areas of the Northeast as well as areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
"A good road network brings with it several benefits. Today's Cabinet decision pertaining to expanding our roads network will enhance rural development and help remote areas of the Northeast as well as areas affected by Left Wing Extremism," the PM tweeted.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also gave its approval to the proposals of Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II upto September, 2022 for completion of balance road and bridge works. The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) upto March, 2023.
The government said that PMGSY-I will provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of population size 500 plus in plain areas and 250 plus in North-East and Himalayan states while in selected left wing extremism blocks, habitations of 100 plus population were also to be provided connectivity.
Only 2,432 habitations are balance out of total 1,84,444 habitations. A total of 20,950 km road length and 1,974 bridges are balance for completion out of total sanctioned 6,45,627 km road length and 7,523 bridges. Thus, these works will now get completed.
Under PMGSY-II, upgradation of 50,000 km rural road network was envisaged wherein a total 49,885 km road length and 765 LSBs have been sanctioned, of which only 4,240 km road length and 254 bridges are balance. Thus, these works will now get completed.
The Majority of pending works under PMGSY-I and II are in the North-East and Hill States due to factors such as Covid lockdown, extended rains, winters, forest issues. The States have been requesting the Central Government for extension of time to complete these crucial works related to rural economy. Extension of time up to September, 2022 is being granted to help these states complete the balance works, a statement said.
Road Connectivity Project of Left Wing Extremism affected Areas (RCP-LWEA) was started in 2016 to improve connectivity in 44 LWE affected districts in nine states. A total of 5,714 km road length and 358 bridge works are balance for completion and another 1,887 km road length and 40 bridges are being sanctioned.
The scheme is being extended up to March, 2023 for completion of these projects, which are very critical from communication and security point of view.
ANI/IANS
