PMGSY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: A parliamentary panel has asked the Union Rural Development Ministry to “tighten its grip” in its supervision of road construction in rural areas under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), flagging the use of poor-quality materials.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• About: PMGSY is a nationwide initiative aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected villages in India.
• Launched: Introduced in 2000 by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Funding: Initially, a 100% centrally sponsored scheme; funding shifted to a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the State from 2015-16.
• Eligibility Criteria: Rural areas with a population of 500 and above in plain areas.

oHill states, NE, desert states, tribal areas, and other backward areas with a population of 250 and above.

Steps taken by Ministry to Check Quality

• Establishment: The ministry has implemented a robust three-tiered quality audit mechanism to assess the construction quality of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• Role of PIUs: The Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) play a crucial role in ensuring process control.
• Field Laboratory Tests: PIUs conduct mandatory tests on materials and workmanship at the field laboratory to uphold construction quality standards.
• Key Responsibilities of SQMs: State Quality Monitors (SQMs) are involved in the second tier of checks to ensure thorough inspection.
• Role of Independent NQMs: The third tier involves independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs) deployed by the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA).
• Random Inspection: NQMs conduct random inspections of roads and bridges, contributing to unbiased quality assessments as per the ministry's directives.