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Baran

Baran District Road Development Project

Background

• Location: Tribal-dominated Baran district, Rajasthan
• Part of: Centre’s scheme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
• Scale: 16 all-weather roads planned
• Impact: Will connect 38 habitations of Saharia tribals

Key Development Aspects

Financial Details

• Total state-wide road construction worth: ₹5,000 crore
• Baran district specific:
  • Road length: 23.24 km
  • Cost: ₹18.23 crore
  • Location: Kishanganj and Shahbad panchayat samitis

Implementation Framework

1. Seven approved categories of construction
2. Types of roads included:
   • National highways
   • PM Gram Sadak Yojana roads
   • Rajasthan State Highways Authority roads
   • Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) roads

Administrative Actions

• PWD instructed to initiate construction
• Partial advance deposited for:
  • Roads around Pachpadra oil refinery (Barmer)
  • Roads near Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited (Western Rajasthan)

Saharia Tribe Profile

Basic Information

• Alternative names: Sahar, Sehariya
• Geographic presence:
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Select districts of Rajasthan
• Classification: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

Cultural & Economic Aspects

1. Governance:
   • Adult members form governing council
   • Council headed by a patel
2. Specialized Skills:
   • Expert woodsmen
   • Forest product gathering
   • Catechu making from Khair trees

Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)

Framework

• Established: Under Central Road Fund Act, 2000
• Earlier name: Central Road Fund
• Current administrative control: Ministry of Finance
• Previous control: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Funding Mechanism

• Source: Cess imposed with excise duty on petrol and diesel

Potential RPSC Exam Questions

1. Multiple Choice Questions:
   • The Baran district road project will connect how many habitations of Saharia tribals? a) 28 b) 38 c) 48 d) 58
   • Under which ministry’s control does the CRIF currently operate? a) Ministry of Finance b) Ministry of Road Transport c) Ministry of Rural Development d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
2. Short Answer Questions:
   • Describe the specialized skills of the Saharia tribe.
   • What are the seven categories of road construction mentioned in the new scheme?
   • Explain the funding mechanism of CRIF.
3. Long Answer Questions:
   • Analyze the socio-economic impact of the road development project on the Saharia tribe in Baran district.
   • Discuss the evolution of the Central Road Infrastructure Fund and its significance in infrastructure development.
   • Evaluate the importance of connecting PVTG habitations through all-weather roads. What are the potential benefits and challenges?

Important Points to Remember

1. Memorize the financial figures:
   • ₹5,000 crore total road works
   • ₹18.23 crore for Baran district
   • 23.24 km road length in Baran
2. Key Administrative Changes: