The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned ₹15,056 crore to Haryana under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), backing 6,175 infrastructure projects spanning irrigation networks, rural roads, drinking water facilities, and other critical community assets. The scale of the allocation marks one of the largest rural infrastructure commitments the state has received in recent years.

Key Developments

The figures were presented during NABARD's 45th Foundation Day celebrations, where Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi attended as the chief guest. Rastogi described the institution as a catalyst for inclusive rural development, noting that Haryana's long-term growth hinges on stronger rural infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, and empowered community institutions.

Drawing on his earlier stint as Finance Secretary, Rastogi said he had worked closely with NABARD and witnessed its constructive role in the state's development first-hand. He credited the institution's concessional interest rate financing with enabling the timely execution of several critical rural projects, directly benefiting Haryana's farming communities.

Digitising Cooperative Credit Societies

The Chief Secretary said the state government is committed to digitising all Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with technical support aimed at making them more efficient, transparent, and accessible. He added that the government is working to ensure every PACS becomes financially viable so these institutions can serve as strong pillars of the rural cooperative ecosystem.

Women's Livelihood Programmes

NABARD's livelihood promotion initiatives have placed a significant focus on women. Since 2022-23, more than 5,010 rural women across Haryana have received skill training in areas including dairy farming, mushroom cultivation, food processing, tailoring, and handicrafts — creating self-employment pathways across the state.

Alignment With Viksit Bharat Vision

Rastogi stressed that government departments, financial institutions, and grassroots organisations must coordinate to build resilient villages in line with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Notably, NABARD's expanded footprint in Haryana comes at a time when the Centre has been pushing states to accelerate rural capital expenditure to sustain post-pandemic economic momentum. With guidelines for the next RIDF tranche expected to be finalised in the coming months, Haryana's rural infrastructure pipeline is set to grow further.