New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The government has spent Rs.9447.25 crore on Rural Roads, Rs.6330.97 crore on Rural Housing and Rs.10535.38 crore on Drinking Water Supply during 2005-06 and 2006-07, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The three components of Bharat Nirman i.e. Rural Roads, Rural Houses and Drinking Water Supply are being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The expenditure incurred on Rural Housing and Drinking Water Supply includes the States share also whereas Rural Roads is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Minister of State for Rural Development Suryakanta Patil said in a written reply.

Though the funds under these programmes are spent/utilised through different programme implementing agencies, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are actively involved in preparation of projects/plans of above three components of Bharat Nirman as specified in the guidelines of the respective programmes such as for allotment of a house, BPL family is selected by the Gram Sabha, for preparation of Plan for rural roads PRIs are actively involved. Similarly under the programme of Rural Drinking Water Supply, the Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees have been assigned the role of selection of location for drinking water source, its operation and maintenance etc.

UNI