Lok Sabha Question No. 2583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Basic Amenities in Backward Areas
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2583 ANSWERED ON 16/12/2025

## BASIC AMENITIES IN BACKWARD AREAS

## 2583. Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a comprehensive assessment has been conducted to identify the most backward areas for providing basic amenities like  drinking  water,  toilets,  roads,  electricity  and  housing  in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled  Tribe (SC/ST) settlements in the country;
- (b) if so, the current status of preparing the list of most backward areas  based  on  the  lack  of  infrastructure  in  these  SC/ST settlements along with the time by which this list is likely to be released;
- (c) whether the Government has prepared a roadmap to establish a specific  development  plan,  targeted  financial  provision  and time-bound implementation mechanism for these settlements, if so, the key components thereof; and
- (d) whether any independent social audit or third party evaluation process is being adopted to verify the data received from State Governments and local bodies, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) to (d): Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing a number of welfare schemes/programmes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAYG), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana  (PMGSY),  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana  -  National  Rural Livelihoods  Mission  (DAY-NRLM),  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY), Rural Self Employment  Training

Institutes(RSETIs),  National  Social  Assistance  Programme  (NSAP) and Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (WDC-PMKSY)  for  overall  development  of rural  areas  of  the  country  including  in  habitations  with  significant Scheduled  Caste  (SC)  and  Scheduled  Tribe  (ST)  populations.  The Ministry extends assistance to all eligible rural areas, including those dominated  by  SC/ST  populations,  as  per  the  guidelines  of  each scheme.

In accordance with the framework for implementation of PMAYG, a minimum 60% of the target at national level is earmarked for SC/ST households, subject to availability of eligible households in the Permanent Wait List. Further the earmarking only define the minimum limit that should be achieved and if the States/UTs so desire they may add to target under those categories to ensure saturation.

Further,  Dharti  Aaba  Janjatiya  Gram  Utkarsh  Abhiyan  and Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) are also being implemented in convergence with PMGSY-IV.

In addition to the above, road connectivity component of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) is  also  being  implemented  as  a  separate  vertical  under  PMGSY. A total of   8000 Km of road length are to be constructed under the scheme  to  provide  connectivity  to  the  habitations  of  Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups(PVTG) .

Improved road connectivity has enhanced access to markets, enabling better prices for tribal produce and forest goods, healthcare, deliveries, education, by improving access to schools and hostels, Government reducing travel time and increasing institutional services, including banking, social security and e-governance.

Several independent impact evaluations have concluded that PMGSY  has  led to improved rural incomes and employment opportunities, greater mobility and integration of tribal communities and enhanced women's participation in education and markets.

MoRD  accords  emphasis  for  targeted  implementation  of  its schemes/projects. The programme wise factors affecting performance are analyzed and tailored actions are taken accordingly. Some of the measures are as follows: -

- i. The Programme implementation is monitored not only electronically, but also through community participation (Social

- Audit), Members of Parliament (DISHA Committee), Central and State Government officials, National Level Monitors, etc.
- ii. The guidelines of PMAY-G mandate that Officials at the Block level should inspect as far as possible 10% of the houses during construction and District level officials should inspect 2% of the houses during construction.
- iii. The Area Officer app, which was being used by MGNREGA, is also being used under PMAY-G for monitoring visits performed by officials to monitor progress of PMAY-G at ground level and for easier documentation of the analysis. The App is being used for  inspecting  the  quality  of  the  houses  constructed  under PMAY-G.
- iv. In addition to existing mechanism of grievance redressal, the services  of  Ombudsman  appointed  under  MGNREGA,  and  the State  Level  Appellate  Authority  have  also  been  availed  for receiving  grievances,  enquiring,  and  passing  awards  as  per PMAY-G guidelines.
- v. The guidelines also mandate Social Audit to ensure achievement of public accountability in PMAY-G implementation.  This  is  an  ongoing  process  involving  public vigilance and verification and is to be conducted in every Gram Panchayat at least once in a year involving a mandatory review of all aspects.

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