Government Allocates Rs 1.03 Lakh Crore for Rural Welfare Initiatives in Current Fiscal Year: Shivraj Chouhan
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New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan revealed on Wednesday that the Ministry has utilized Rs 1.03 lakh crore for rural development and social welfare initiatives out of the total budget of Rs 1.84 lakh crore for this fiscal year.
“We are dedicated to fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision by linking rural populations with job opportunities and essential services,” he stated during a press briefing here.
The minister noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin, a target of constructing 2.95 crore houses has been set for March 2024, with nearly all houses already sanctioned and 2.67 crore houses completed.
Due to the success of this initiative and the pressing need for rural housing, the program has been expanded to include an additional 2 crore houses over the next five years, he added.
These new homes will be constructed at an estimated cost exceeding Rs 3.06 lakh crore. To guarantee that no eligible family is excluded from the scheme's benefits, the exclusion criteria have been lowered from 13 to 10, removing conditions such as owning a mechanized fishing boat, refrigerator, or landline phone, the minister stated.
Moreover, the income threshold for exclusion has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.
He emphasized that this decision was made after discussions with stakeholders to eliminate unnecessary barriers and genuinely work towards the goal of housing for all.
Chouhan reiterated that the government’s aim in enhancing rural India is not merely to provide housing but also to ensure essential amenities within these homes. Beneficiaries receive 90-95 days of wage support under MGNREGA for building their homes. Integration with other welfare programs like Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Saubhagya Yojana ensures access to facilities such as toilets, cooking gas, and electricity.
Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme, solar rooftop connections are granted to beneficiaries, significantly lowering their electricity expenses. Each house constructed under this initiative is a complete home equipped with all necessary facilities. This scheme aims to establish the groundwork for poverty-free villages and a developed India, the minister added.
He mentioned that out of the newly approved target of 2 crore houses, around 38 lakh houses have been allocated across 18 states, and Rs 10,668 crore in funds has been disbursed to these states. There is no lack of funding for this initiative. States are urged to timely release their share, utilize the funds appropriately, and submit proposals for the next installment to access the central government’s share.
The minimum house size has been established at 25 square meters, which includes a clean cooking area. Financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in northeastern and hilly regions is provided. Payments are efficiently processed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This year, over 10 lakh beneficiaries received their first installment in a single click by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar, he noted.
He further stated that on September 17, 2024, PM Modi issued approval letters for 15 lakh houses and released Rs 3,180 crore as the first installment for over 10 lakh beneficiaries through Aadhaar-based transfers. Additionally, more than 26 lakh houses were handed over to their owners.
He also mentioned that if any state identifies flaws in MNREGA and PM Awas Yojana, corrective action will be implemented, reaffirming the government's commitment. He stressed that programs like MNREGA are demand-driven, and if the allocated budget is insufficient, additional funds are requested from the Finance Ministry based on state demands, with ongoing revisions made as necessary.
Under PMGSY-III, a total of 6,614 km of roads have been approved from June 9, 2024, to December 2, 2024, while an additional 2,337 km of roads have been approved during this timeframe under PM-Janman. Furthermore, the construction or revival of over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars has been finalized.
He also noted that over 1.15 crore women have become 'Lakhpati Didi' under DAY-NRLM through self-help groups thus far, and this initiative is ongoing.
The minister announced plans to enhance the existing Jan MGNREGA App, which will facilitate feedback for the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, ensuring proactive information disclosure to the public.
The scheme mandates coverage of socially disadvantaged groups, comprising 50 percent SC/ST, 15 percent minorities, and 33 percent women, with a special focus on manual scavengers, persons with disabilities, and female-headed households.
