The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan, organised under the theme ‘Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya’, concluded in New Delhi on Monday with the Centre and states outlining a roadmap to accelerate rural development and realise the vision of ‘Viksit Gram-Viksit Bharat’.
The two-day conference, chaired by Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, brought together Rural Development Ministers from 29 States and Union Territories on a common platform for the first time to review the implementation of key rural development programmes and strengthen Centre-State coordination.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said the vision of a Developed India can be achieved only through the development of villages, describing rural India as the foundation of the country’s economic and social progress. He said villages should be viewed not merely as beneficiaries of development programmes but as drivers of national growth.
The Union Minister announced 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). He said an interim approval of ₹95,682 crore has already been granted for the implementation of the new programme and urged states to complete procedural formalities to ensure its smooth rollout.
The conference also witnessed the launch of the Lakhpati Didi Dashboard and the SHE LEAPS (Self Help Entrepreneur – Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability) digital platform aimed at strengthening livelihood opportunities for women associated with Self-Help Groups. Chouhan said the government is working towards expanding the Lakhpati Didi initiative from three crore to six crore women, supported by a proposed ₹10 lakh crore bank linkage programme over the next five years.
Reviewing the implementation of flagship rural development programmes, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, the minister stressed the need for timely release of state funds, filling vacant posts and ensuring continuity in programme implementation. He also called for wider use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve transparency, monitoring and service delivery.
Chouhan reiterated the government’s commitment to providing housing for every eligible rural family and directed states to expedite pending cases under the rural housing scheme, particularly for landless beneficiaries.
The minister also urged states to document and replicate successful rural livelihood and entrepreneurship models implemented across the country while assuring them of the Centre’s support in addressing policy and implementation challenges.
Expressing concern over the possibility of below-normal rainfall, Chouhan advised states to strengthen water conservation measures and prepare contingency plans to generate additional employment opportunities in rural areas if required.
The Sammelan concluded with the release of publications on rural development innovations and the felicitation of winners of the VB-GRAM-G logo design, quiz and digital content competitions.
