MoS Shri Pemmasani Advocates for ‘Viksit Gaon’ to Attain a Viksit Bharat

Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, has emphasized the importance of creating a ‘Viksit Gaon’ (developed village) to realize the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) by 2047. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Performance Review Committee of the Rural Development Ministry in New Delhi, he outlined a comprehensive plan that includes providing every family with a pucca house, ensuring quality road connectivity, creating employment opportunities for rural youth, and empowering women financially. The Minister highlighted the need for innovative approaches and a strong commitment to achieve these goals, underlining the significant progress made in rural development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Achievements in Rural Employment

During his address, Minister Chandrasekhar detailed the successes of various initiatives aimed at improving rural livelihoods. He pointed to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as a crucial tool in combating rural unemployment and reducing distress migration, particularly during agricultural off-seasons. With an annual investment ranging from Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 Crore, the scheme has generated over 250 Crore person-days of work each year. Furthermore, it has issued more than 36 crore job cards, with over 15 crore workers actively benefiting from the program. The Minister advocated for a shift in focus from mere wage payments to creating meaningful assets, promoting diversified work, and enhancing community participation in project selection.

Housing Initiatives Under PMAY-G

Shri Pemmasani also discussed the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), which has successfully constructed over 3.22 crore pucca houses for families previously living in inadequate housing. He announced a target to build an additional 2 crore houses by 2029 to accommodate the growing rural population. The Minister encouraged the adoption of eco-friendly construction technologies and cost-effective housing designs to meet the increasing demand for housing in rural areas. This initiative aims not only to provide shelter but also to enhance the quality of life for rural families.

Infrastructure Development and Women Empowerment

The Minister highlighted the extensive infrastructure development achieved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which has seen the construction of over 7.56 lakh kilometers of rural roads. He proposed the establishment of state-level road maintenance funds and community-based monitoring systems to ensure the sustainability of these projects. Additionally, the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has played a pivotal role in empowering rural women, with over 10.05 crore women organized into 91 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). The cumulative bank linkage for these groups has surpassed Rs. 11 lakh crore. The Minister noted that the Lakhpati Didi Initiative has already enabled 1.5 crore women to earn over Rs. 1 lakh annually, with a goal of reaching 3 crore women. He emphasized the need for targeted credit and skill development to further empower these women.

Skill Development and Future Goals

In addition to housing and employment initiatives, the Minister mentioned the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), which has trained more than 17 lakh rural youth, successfully placing over 11 lakh in gainful employment. This program aims to bridge the skills gap in rural areas and enhance job prospects for young individuals. The meeting was attended by various officials, including Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, and Secretary of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, who contributed to discussions on the future of rural development in India. The collective efforts aim to transform rural India into a thriving and self-sufficient region by 2047.

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