Arjun Munda and his deputy Sudesh Mahto at the review meeting in Ranchi on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, July 12: The newly elected rural administrative bodies have reason to celebrate, as chief minister Arjun Munda today promised panchayats a commanding role in village road projects.

The model, termed “apna gaon, apni sadak” by the state government, will also entrust panchayats with the task of overseeing quality of approach roads built under MGNREGS and other rural development funds.

The status reports of various projects under MGNREGS will be available on the government website. The information technology department has been directed to provide Internet connectivity in every panchayat. Panchayats and blocks making the most of Internet will also be rewarded.

The chief minister made these decisions during a review meeting of the rural development and panchayati raj departments, which are headed by deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahto. Chief secretary S.K. Choudhary, development commissioner Debashish Gupta and the secretaries of rural development, panchayati raj, information technology and planning and development departments also attended the meet.

Panchayats have also been authorised to verify payment of crop insurance amounts. Their consent to reports of local administrative officials on development projects will be a must.

Meanwhile, health minister Hemlal Murmu pulled up officials of Jharkhand State Housing Board over poor quality of work in construction of seven health centres in Garhwa. At a meeting in Ranchi, Murmu told the board engineers that the buildings might collapse anytime and sought an explanation within 10 days.