More Than 13.29 Lakh Homes Greenlit for Rural Families in Maharashtra: Shivraj Chouhan
Click to start listening
Pune, Dec 23 (NationPress) Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated on Monday that over 13.29 lakh houses have been sanctioned for Maharashtra in the financial year 2024-25 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin Plus (+).
During his address at the Kisan Samman Diwas and Farmers and Rural Development Beneficiaries Conference in Pune, he mentioned that the survey work has been concluded, and the final list has been prepared for these additional houses to be distributed in Maharashtra.
"The government is determined to ensure that no individual is left without a pucca house," Shivraj Chouhan stated.
While commemorating National Farmers Day 2024, the Union Minister added that a goal has been set to construct over 19.66 lakh houses in Maharashtra for the financial year 2024-25.
"The estimated cost for this initiative will amount to Rs 29,501 crore. It is anticipated that the newly formed state government will meet these objectives within the designated timeframe," the Minister further elaborated.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the government is dedicated to providing the advantages of this scheme to individuals who have yet to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or whose names are absent from the survey list.
Previously, individuals possessing two-wheelers and telephones were excluded from this initiative; however, under the Awas Plus (+) scheme, all such individuals will now receive housing benefits, as explained by the minister.
According to the updated survey, individuals with a monthly income of Rs 15,000 and those owning more than 5 acres of unirrigated land will also be eligible for this scheme.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also highlighted the government's commitment to women empowerment, stating that a target has been established to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis nationwide. To date, 1.15 crore sisters have achieved the status of Lakhpati Didi due to the significant role of women's self-help groups in India's economy.
Regarding the advancement of the agriculture sector, the Union Minister pointed out that during the UPA government, the annual budget for agriculture was merely Rs 23,000 crore, whereas under the Modi government, it has surged to Rs 1.27 lakh crore.
Additionally, the government has allocated a subsidy of Rs 1.94 lakh crore for a total of 45 programs.
The minister also noted that the government has expended Rs 1,166 lakh crore on various ongoing initiatives under the National Food Security Programme, and is consistently striving to double the income of the nation's farmers.
He mentioned that recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated 109 new seed varieties across 65 crops to the nation, which will play a crucial role in natural farming.
