New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS): Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday allowed construction in certain activities of "small nature" around border area, hitherto restricted under 'Security Restrictions Guidelines' issued in 1990 and later in 2017.

"Keeping in view the requests of state governments, that construction/developmental works in border areas are getting affected due to provisions listed in the MoD's existing guidelines, Government of India has decided to allow the developmental works of small nature like construction, repair and maintenance of village ponds, construction and maintenance of government Buildings like schools, hospitals etc by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and other central/state government statutory bodies for faster development in border areas," the government said in a statement.

"Security considerations for construction activities/other activities in border areas/ other areas issued earlier from time to time by Ministry of Defence shall not be applicable for the above mentioned development works in border areas," it added.