Saturday, October 8 2005 12:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Prime Minister Manmohan today (Oct 8, 2005) said that to upgrade rural infrastructure, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has conceived a time bound business plan under Bharat Nirman.

Addressing the Congress Chief Ministers' Conclave on its second day here today, Singh said that it is 'a flagship' programme for UPA Government.

"We are committing over Rs 1, 74,000 Crores to it. Bharat Nirman should unleash the growth potential of our villages," he added.

"In the next four years we need to ensure that every habitation has potable water. Every village of over 1,000 population or over 500 in hilly and tribal areas, must have an asphalted road," he said adding that every village must have electricity and telephone connectivity.

He said that we must also ensure that over one crore hectares of land is irrigated and that atleast 60 lakh houses are built.

"Bharat Nirman will be our legacy. Like the rural employment guarantee Act, its success too will depend critically on your commitment to rural employment", he added.

He said that he was asking the officials that the entire Bharat Nirman programme be made web-based so that citizens can monitor the progress.

The Prime Minister told the Chief Ministers that the party Governments must lead in the effort in Bharat Nirman.

"It is an agenda that addresses the basic needs of our people in rural areas," he said.

He said, "I request each Chief Minister to set up his monitoring system to ensure Bharat Nirman is achieved ahead of schedule in Congress ruled states."