Revitalizing Rural India: A Vision for 2047
In a significant move towards enhancing rural development, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, convened a review meeting in New Delhi. The meeting brought together Rural Development Ministers from various states, along with senior officials from the Ministry. The primary focus was to assess ongoing schemes and outline future strategies aimed at uplifting rural communities across India. Minister Chouhan emphasized the importance of rural development in achieving the broader goal of a developed India by the year 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed a commitment to transforming rural schemes into a campaign that fundamentally changes the lives of rural citizens.
The Path to a Poverty-Free India
During the meeting, Minister Chouhan articulated a clear vision for rural India. He stated that the year 2025 should mark a significant milestone in the fight against poverty. The goal is to ensure that every village is free from unemployment and that the basic needs of its residents are met. To achieve this ambitious target, he outlined several key strategies. These include setting time-bound targets for various schemes, identifying regional disparities in implementation, and prioritizing areas that require special attention.
Moreover, the Minister stressed the importance of leveraging technology. He advocated for the development and utilization of advanced IT solutions to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Simplifying procedures and ensuring timely execution of projects are also crucial steps. Raising awareness among stakeholders about their rights and maximizing resource utilization will further strengthen these initiatives. Minister Chouhan underscored the need for better coordination among various ministries to ensure that welfare schemes work in harmony for the benefit of rural communities.
Empowering Rural Communities Through Housing Initiatives
One of the standout achievements highlighted during the meeting was the progress made under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G). Over the past decade, approximately 3.45 crore houses have been constructed in rural areas. Of these, around 2.68 crore homes have been completed against a target of 2.95 crore by March 2024. The Minister noted that the average time taken to complete a house has significantly decreased, from 314 days to just 114 days.
Looking ahead, the housing scheme is set to expand further. In the next five years, the government plans to construct an additional 2 crore houses, with an investment exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore. To facilitate this, a survey will be conducted to identify new families eligible for housing assistance. This time, the survey will be based on revised norms, and eligible individuals will have the option to conduct their own surveys via mobile applications. This innovative approach aims to streamline the process and ensure that no deserving family is left behind.
Strengthening Livelihoods and Women Empowerment
The meeting also shed light on the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), which has emerged as the world’s largest women’s network in India. The mission has successfully organized 10 crore rural families into 90.89 lakh self-help groups. These groups have been further federated into 5 lakh Village Organizations and 32,000 Cluster Level Federations. The government has provided substantial capitalization support to these community institutions, amounting to Rs 48,289 crore.
Additionally, the NRLM has facilitated bank loans totaling Rs 9.84 lakh crore to self-help groups, empowering around 4 crore women farmers. The initiative aims to create 3 crore “Lakhpati Didis,” with 1.15 crore women already achieving this status. The Minister emphasized that the success of these programs relies heavily on the active participation of state governments and continuous monitoring. He encouraged state ministers to share their suggestions for improving scheme implementation and to contribute ideas for the upcoming budget.
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