Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the transformative impact of key government programmes in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing inclusive growth across rural India. He stated that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, a new development model focused on poverty alleviation, village development, and women’s empowerment particularly through the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative has gained strong momentum.
He expressed confidence that India is firmly on the path to becoming a prosperous, self-reliant, and developed nation.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, the minister noted that his philosophy continues to shape the country’s governance approach. Government initiatives, he said, are guided by the principle of reaching the “last person in the queue,” ensuring that the most vulnerable sections of society receive priority.
Describing ‘Viksit Bharat – Gram G’ as an upgraded version of MGNREGA, the minister said the scheme guarantees 125 days of employment instead of the earlier 100 days. It also includes improved wages, unemployment allowances, and provisions such as interest payments in case of delays. He informed that the Centre has allocated a record ₹95,692 crore for the scheme, reflecting its strong commitment to rural employment. The scheme has also been widely adopted by states across the country.
The minister outlined several flagship initiatives that have significantly improved the lives of the poor. Under housing programmes, millions of permanent homes have been constructed, while over 110 million toilets have been built to improve sanitation. Schemes such as LPG connections under Ujjwala, tap water supply under ‘Har Ghar Jal’, and healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat are transforming basic living conditions. Additionally, more than 800 million people are benefiting from free food grain distribution, while over 520 million loans have been disbursed under the Mudra scheme. Programmes like Skill India, Atal Pension Yojana, PM Garib Kalyan, and PM-Kisan are also contributing to economic security and empowerment.
Women Empowerment Through ‘Lakhpati Didi’:
Highlighting women-led development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that millions of women associated with self-help groups are becoming financially independent under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative. Innovative models such as ‘Drone Didi’, ‘Krishi Sakhi’, ‘Bank Sakhi’, and ‘Pashu Sakhi’ are enabling women to explore entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities. The government has now set an ambitious target of creating six crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ across the country.
FAQs:
Q1: What is the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative?
A1: It is a women-focused program promoting financial independence through self-help groups and innovative livelihood models.
Q2: How many days of employment does ‘Viksit Bharat – Gram G’ provide?
A2: The scheme guarantees 125 days of employment with improved wages and unemployment benefits.
Q3: What is the government doing for rural housing?
A3: Millions of permanent homes have been built, along with 110 million toilets and LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojana.
Q4: How is women entrepreneurship supported in rural India?
A4: Programs like Drone Didi, Krishi Sakhi, Bank Sakhi, and Pashu Sakhi empower women to start businesses and manage income sources.
Q5: How does Khetivyapar help farmers?
A5: Khetivyapar provides accurate market, technology, and scheme-related information, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and improve livelihoods.
