G.O.(Ms). No.122, Construction of Rural Connectivity under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 2019

What the government sanctioned

G.O.(Ms). No.122 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department sanctions construction of 2,000 kilometres of rural connectivity roads during 2019-20. The work consists of single layer Water Bound Macadam roads with road formation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

The roads are intended to connect:

• Unconnected habitations.
• SC, ST and tribal areas.
• Hilly areas.
• Farm lands.

The stated purpose is to improve transport of farm products to marketing centres and improve access to livelihoods, health, education and transportation facilities.

Cost and funding

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department estimates the total cost at Rs.390 crore. The estimate for one kilometre is Rs.19.50 lakh, although the actual estimate may vary according to site conditions.

Key funding provisions are:

• Labour represents 14.90 per cent of the cost and material represents 85.10 per cent.
• The Government of India bears the entire labour cost.
• Material costs are shared in the ratio of 75:25 between the Government of India and the State Government.
• The project is expected to generate 25,38,000 persondays.
• Financial sanction is subject to release of the Central Government share.

The wage rate stated for Tamil Nadu for 2019-20 is Rs.229 per day.

Planning and execution

G.O.(Ms). No.122 requires the applicable detailed guidelines to be followed for planning, work selection, execution and non-negotiable items without deviation. The document refers earlier to G.O.(Ms). No.126 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department, dated 12 September 2018. In its sanction paragraph, it refers to G.O.(Ms). No.121, dated 12 September 2018, read with G.O.(Ms). No.130, dated 14 November 2017.

The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, District Collectors except Chennai District, and Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies are among the authorities receiving the government order.

Relevance to landowners and buyers

G.O.(Ms). No.122 may be relevant where a farm land, unconnected habitation or eligible rural area is selected for a road project. The document does not itself identify individual survey numbers, acquire land, transfer ownership or alter land title. A buyer or owner would need project-specific records to determine whether a particular property is included.