In a written reply, Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh informed the Lok Sabha that the objective of the rural roads component of "Bharat Nirman" is to connect all eligible unconnected habitations having population of 1,000 people and above (500 people and above in hill state and tribal areas) with all-weather roads under PMGSY.
"There is no provision to provide connectivity specifically to unconnected habitations having population of less than 500 people in plain areas and less than 250 people in tribal areas, though some such habitations may get incidentally connected while providing connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations as per PMGSY," Ramesh said.
The Centre has also sent a circular on February 15, 2012, to states, which have awarded works for over 90 per cent of their eligible unconnected habitations, that they can send proposals for eligible unconnected habitations.
"For the selected 78 selected Tribal and Backward districts proposals for connecting eligible habitations having population of 25 people and above (as per 2001 Census) can also be sent for consideration," Ramesh said.
On a specific question on tribal areas of Gujarat, the minister said job of connectivity with remote areas has been completed in the state. The Centre has already sanctioned building of 3,500 km of the total of 5,400 km which is to be built in the state.
He said as soon as the request for the remaining area is received from the state, the Centre will look into it. PTI RC SMI