NEW DELHI, JUN 29 (PTI): Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the dream of a developed India cannot be achieved unless villages become prosperous and self-reliant, as he held deliberations with the rural development ministers of 29 states and Union territories at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan.
Addressing the second day of the two-day conference, titled “Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya”, at the Pusa Campus here, Chouhan said villages are not merely clusters of soil, fields and village squares but they represent India’s strength, consciousness and the country’s soul.
The conference reviewed the implementation and progress of major rural-development schemes and discussed strategies to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Developed Villages-Developed India (Viksit Gram-Viksit Bharat)”, according to an official statement.
“National progress is impossible without the progress of rural India,” Chouhan said, stressing that villages have a central role in the country’s development journey.
The conference saw the participation of senior officials and policymakers from 29 states and Union territories. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and other state representatives attended the meeting.
Chouhan said the vision of a developed India can only be fulfilled when villages become economically self-reliant, employment-oriented and equipped with quality infrastructure and essential public services.
He announced that the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme will be implemented across the country from July 1, replacing the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
An interim approval of Rs 95,682 crore has already been granted for the implementation of the new programme, the minister said, urging the states to complete procedural formalities without delay for a smooth rollout.
The “Lakhpati Didi Dashboard” was launched at the conference and the digital platform — “SHE LEAPS (Self Help Entrepreneur – Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability)” — was inaugurated for women associated with self-help groups.
Chouhan said the target of creating Lakhpati Didis has been increased from three crore to six crore women and a roadmap has been prepared for bank linkage worth Rs 10 lakh crore over the next five years.
Reviewing the implementation of rural-development programmes, he asked the states to ensure a timely release of their financial share to prevent delays in projects and payments.
He also stressed the need to fill vacant posts related to rural development at the earliest and said frequent transfers of officers affect continuity and accountability. Officials handling key responsibilities should ordinarily remain at the same posting for two to three years, Chouhan said.
He also called for wider awareness campaigns about government schemes, stronger social audits and greater use of artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems to improve transparency and efficiency.
During the review of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Chouhan said while several states have shown good performance, others need to accelerate implementation.
He laid emphasis on providing land to landless beneficiaries eligible under the rural-housing scheme and resolving pending housing cases.
Referring to initiatives undertaken by states, such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, including multi-channel marketing models, community-based enterprises and household livelihood credit schemes, Chouhan said successful practices would be documented and shared with other states.
He also assured the states that the Ministry of Rural Development would work with the Union Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance to bring suitable amendments, wherever required, if existing rules or procedures create practical difficulties.
Expressing concern over the possibility of below-normal rainfall, Chouhan urged 14 states to remain vigilant and prepare for any adverse situation.
He directed the states to strengthen water-conservation structures and make preparations to generate additional employment opportunities in rural areas if required.
Calling for Centre-state partnerships, Chouhan said this is not a time for competition but for collaboration. The Centre should focus on policy formulation, states on implementation, panchayats on grassroots leadership and citizens on participation in the development process, he said.
The conference concluded with the felicitation of the winners of logo-design, quiz and digital-content competitions organised under the VB-G RAM G initiative. Several publications on new ideas, innovative models and emerging approaches in rural development were also released during the event.
