ADB to assist govt in implementing rural scheme

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would assist the restructured programme of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA), which was recently cleared by the government for its implementation as a pilot project in the country, an official has said.

The bank, besides providing technical support to the government for its implementation, will closely monitor the outcome of the programme to see whether it could be used as a model in other parts of Asia.

"ADB is very excited about it (PURA). They (ADB) say that if it succeeds, they can use this as a model in other parts of Asia," a top official of the Rural Development Ministry told PTI.

PURA, which was a pet project of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, had first been implemented on the pilot basis from 2004-05 for a period of three years in seven clusters -- one each in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

"The scheme has been restructured and the basic difference between the previous and the present one is that it will be implemented in public private partnership mode, the official said.

"We are going to invite private partnership which will not only contribute in creation of urban amenities in the rural areas but also maintain them for the next 10 years," the official added.

According to Rural Development Ministry, ADB agreed to provide technical support to the government in implementation of the pilot project.

"They are giving us some technical support by giving us very good lawyers, expert engineers, to help us in entering into an agreement with our private partner so that government does not suffer any loss," the official said.

"The ADB's experts will help develop legal documents and other paper works that will be needed to make sure that programme turns a success," the official added.