Developed Villages Key to Developed India: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Minister says developed villages are key to building a Viksit Bharat; new rural employment scheme begins July 1
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th June: Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for achieving “Developed Villages–Developed India”, announcing that the Viksit Bharat–VB-GRAM-G scheme will be rolled out nationwide from July 1, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Addressing the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan at Pusa Campus, attended by Rural Development Ministers from 29 States and Union Territories, Chouhan said villages are not merely beneficiaries of development but its driving force. “The path to a Developed India passes through developed villages,” he said, calling for greater Centre-State collaboration to transform rural India.
The Union Minister announced that the new employment programme has received an interim approval of ₹95,682 crore and urged states to complete procedural formalities to ensure its smooth implementation.
To promote women-led rural development, Chouhan launched the Lakhpati Didi Dashboard and SHE LEAPS (Self Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability) digital platform. He said the government aims to increase the number of Lakhpati Didis from three crore to six crore, supported by a ₹10 lakh crore bank linkage roadmap over the next five years.
Reviewing flagship schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Chouhan directed states to ensure that every eligible rural family receives permanent housing and that no deserving beneficiary is left out.
The Minister also called for the timely release of state funds, filling of vacant posts, stable administrative tenures and greater use of Artificial Intelligence for monitoring, transparency and improved service delivery. He stressed the importance of stronger social audits and wider public awareness of government schemes.
Expressing concern over the possibility of below-normal rainfall, Chouhan urged 14 states to strengthen water conservation measures and prepare additional rural employment opportunities if required.
Describing the conference as a milestone in cooperative federalism, Chouhan said, “This is the time for partnership, not politics,” and urged the Centre, states, Panchayats and citizens to work together to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.
