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There is Need for self-employment in rural areas as all can’t get a job: Narendra Singh Tomar


Rural development and mines minister Narendra Singh Tomar talks to ET about developments in his ministries and the upcoming Madhya Pradesh and national elections. Edited excerpts:

Do you think you have been able to achieve the outlined agenda on rural development?

In 2014, when Prime Minister Modi took over, focus was on holistic development. He was clear that it should not be on one-sided development. On one hand, if it was about re-establishing India’s glory internationally and on the other it was to ensure that poor households in rural India had a toilet and a house. Rural development budget has undergone a substantial increase. What was about Rs 50,000 crore in 2011-12, it is now Rs 1.12 lakh crore and a separate Rs 12,000 crore comes from NABARD as a loan. The rural housing scheme was revamped with enhanced funding. We have constructed 1crore houses. Our target under the new scheme is to ensure housing for all by 2022. This is not standalone. It will have a toilet, a gas connection under Ujjwala scheme, electricity connection… Idea is to ensure that with this housing plan we are able to lift the standard of living of the beneficiary.

The PM Gram Sadak Yojana is another key programme of the ministry. How has MGNREGS done?

MNREGS and corruption had become synonymous. In line with PM Modi’s commitment to transparency, we made significant changes to the scheme, which was also refocussed on asset creation. I am happy to note that 3 crore MNREGS projects have been geotagged. This is a crucial development. We have ensured 96% of workers’ funds via direct benefit transfer. We have advised states to refocus MNREGS funding to water conservation. Around Rs 55,000 crore is marked for the scheme, but we may need some more.

Rural roads have been a big programme of the government. There’s talk of a third phase…

We have been able to complete 85% of Phase I and the balance 15% will be completed this financial year. We are now constructing 134 km of roads every day. In Phase II, we have to construct 50,000 km. In four states (Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka and Gujarat), we have completed Phases I and II. PM Modi has announced the third phase under which we will construct 1.25-lakhkm roads. States that have completed both phases will be eligible under this phase. A cabinet note has been circulated.

There have been signs of rural stress. How do you see the situation now?

I don’t think there is a stress-like situation. But there is a need for self-employment in rural areas as everyone cannot get a job. In that direction, skill development and ‘ajivika’ need to be done much expeditiously. Politically, people can say there is no employment but if you see there have been employment opportunities created. Around Rs 81,000 crore has been spent on Awas Yojna. Labourers will get jobs. There will be demand for cement, steel. Wouldn’t that create employment? As much as 1.24 lakh crore is being spent by rural development — won’t that make a difference? Of the Rs 24 lakh crore budget, Rs 14 lakh crore is being spent on farm and rural development.

Mining activity has not taken off as expected after the auctions. What is the issue?

One thing which you should keep in mind is: mines are a state subject. The Centre only regulates it. Lots of questions were raised when we came to power. Our priority was transparency in allocation. We amended the Act and brought in auction. The auction amount was Rs 1.55 lakh crore out of which states will get Rs 1.20 lakh crore. District mineral foundation will get Rs 18,000 crore —the amount remains in districts and will be spent on areas and people impacted by mines. Many minerals production licences will expire in 2020. We are trying to auction it quickly so that production does not get impacted.

The NDA faces a united opposition in 2019. How do you see your chances?

If opposition gets together, it means that work done by the Modi government is showing and its popularity is increasing. If it was not so then there was no need for opposition to come together. Secondly, it won’t make any difference. Those coming with Congress don’t have a vote everywhere. What will Mamata Banerji do in MP and Chandrababu Naidu in Rajasthan? In 2019, the government will be formed under Modi’s leadership.

In MP, your government is facing charges of corruption and farmer unrest…

The opposition in MP is passing through a phase of ‘vichar-shunyta’ — lack of issues. Secondly, 4-5 people in the opposition are trying to establish themselves. The Congress is passing through both the stages. In MP, our fight is not with Congress. It is against false propaganda of Congress.





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