Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

NEW DELHI: Rural prosperity should be the ultimate focus of public programmes for development if urgent issues such as farmers' suicides are to be overcome, said Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat here on Thursday.

Delivering the valedictory address at the ``National Conference and Exposition of Rural Roads,'' Mr. Shekhawat said it was necessary to address the concerns, the aspirations, the apprehensions and the anxieties of rural people in all developmental plans.

The divide between the urban and rural areas was significant. It was unfortunate that in the rural areas the incomes of many dwindled and farm households became more prone to stress and insecurity. The problem of farmers' suicides was a matter of anxiety that highlighted the urgency to take up programmes for integrated rural development.

The Vice-President said complete information on construction of rural roads, including allocation of funds, progress of expenditure should be widely disseminated; for this, information and knowledge being in the public domain would be the most effective way to ensure efficient and corruption-free utilisation of public funds under the watchful eyes of the public.

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