Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday, 7 July met Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi to review the implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) — known as VB-GRAM G — along with other rural development programmes in the state. The high-level meeting examined fund utilisation, gram sabha-led planning, and the Gram Chaupal model as drivers of grassroots development across Rajasthan.

Key Developments from the Meeting

Both leaders reviewed the progress of Gram Sabha-led planning, transparent utilisation of public funds, and the Gram Chaupal model, which they said have accelerated rural employment generation and the creation of durable community assets. They expressed satisfaction over programme implementation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening participatory, transparent, and sustainable rural governance.

Union Minister Chouhan underscored the Centre's push for a bottom-up development model, where planning originates at the village and gram panchayat level, ensuring projects reflect local priorities rather than top-down mandates.

VB-GRAM G Funds: Release and Utilisation

Highlighting the financial progress of the VB-GRAM G programme, Union Minister Chouhan said that ₹445 crore has already been released to Rajasthan, of which nearly ₹200 crore has been utilised so far. He added that a second instalment of ₹180 crore would be released upon substantial and timely utilisation of existing funds.

The programme is expected to channel nearly ₹12,000 crore annually into rural development works across the state, generating employment while creating long-term public assets that strengthen the rural economy.

Rajasthan's Performance Under Central Schemes

Union Minister Chouhan also commended Rajasthan's performance under the PM Micro Irrigation Scheme, noting that the state fully utilised its sanctioned allocation within the stipulated time — making it eligible for additional financial assistance. He further said that expenditure reconciliation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is being carried out to ensure financial transparency and eliminate pending liabilities.

Chief Minister Sharma thanked the Union government for its continued support, saying Central schemes have significantly boosted employment generation and infrastructure development in rural Rajasthan. He said the state government is giving priority to works identified by Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats, with people's participation remaining central to rural planning.

Gram Chaupal as a Governance Model

The meeting spotlighted the Chief Minister's Gram Chaupal initiative as a successful model of participatory governance. Chouhan noted that Chief Minister Sharma regularly visits villages, interacts with women, youth, farmers, and public representatives, and personally reviews local issues to ensure timely implementation of government programmes at the grassroots level.

Praising Rajasthan's overall approach, Chouhan said gram sabha-based planning, transparent fund utilisation, effective micro-irrigation implementation, and the Gram Chaupal initiative have positioned Rajasthan as a model state for rural development. He expressed confidence that sustained implementation would accelerate the state's journey toward comprehensive, village-level development.