New Delhi: Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the two-day National Rural Development Conference, emphasizing that villages are the soul and strength of India and that their prosperity is essential to achieving the vision of a developed nation.
Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, the conference aims to align rural development initiatives with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). The first day of the event brought together senior officials, policy experts, and administrators from across the country, while the second day will see participation from Rural Development Ministers of all states and Union Territories to discuss policy directions and a collective roadmap for rural transformation.
The inaugural session was attended by Union Ministers of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, along with senior government officials and stakeholders.
Villages at the Heart of India’s Development
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan described the conference as more than a routine administrative exercise, calling it a carefully planned national effort to translate the vision of a developed India into tangible outcomes on the ground.
He stressed that villages form the foundation of India’s economy, culture, identity, and democracy. Referring to the conference as an “Amrit Manthan” for rural prosperity, he said the discussions and ideas emerging from the event would help shape policies that reach every village in the country.
“Villages are India’s soul and strength. Their development is the first and most important step toward building a developed India,” Chouhan said.
Highlighting the importance of effective implementation, he urged officials to focus on last-mile delivery and ensure that government schemes reach eligible beneficiaries without delays, corruption, or bureaucratic hurdles.
Focus on Reforms and Rural Transformation
The Union Minister called for honest assessment and reform of existing systems, procedures, and implementation mechanisms. He emphasized that creating schemes alone is not enough; ensuring their efficient delivery is equally important.
Speaking on rural employment initiatives, Chouhan acknowledged challenges faced in implementation over the years, including irregularities in work execution and attendance records. He said corrective measures are being introduced to strengthen transparency and accountability.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding employment opportunities in rural areas and ensuring that no needy worker is deprived of work. According to him, substantial public investment planned for rural infrastructure and development over the coming years has the potential to transform village economies if utilized effectively.
Comprehensive Rural Development Agenda
The conference is focusing on the entire rural development ecosystem rather than a single scheme. Key discussions are centered around the government’s VB-GRAM-G (Viksit Bharat Gram Abhiyan) initiative, which aims to promote the concept of “Developed Villages for a Developed India.”
Major flagship programmes under review include:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for rural housing.
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for road infrastructure.
- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for social protection and pension benefits.
Chouhan underscored the importance of ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are not excluded from welfare programmes. Referring to ongoing physical verification exercises under PMAY-G, he cautioned against arbitrary exclusion of deserving families from housing benefits.
He also advocated innovations such as collective procurement of construction materials, training of rural masons, and greater convergence among schemes to improve implementation outcomes.
Women’s Empowerment and Rural Entrepreneurship
A significant portion of the minister’s address focused on women-led development. He praised the achievements of women associated with self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and highlighted the success of the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative.
According to Chouhan, millions of women have already increased their incomes through self-help groups, and the government aims to expand this movement substantially in the coming years.
He stressed that rural entrepreneurship must move beyond traditional activities and embrace sectors such as food processing, agri-business, services, and digital enterprises.
“Women entrepreneurs will play a vital role in making rural India economically strong and self-reliant,” he said.
Rural Roads and Social Security
Describing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana as a transformative initiative, Chouhan credited the programme with connecting previously isolated villages to essential services, markets, healthcare, and educational opportunities.
He noted that improved road connectivity has enabled farmers to access better markets and obtain higher returns for their produce.
The minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening social security programmes, including old-age pensions, widow pensions, and disability assistance. He called for greater transparency and efficiency in pension delivery through digital platforms to ensure timely benefits for vulnerable populations.
Team India Approach
Throughout his address, Chouhan emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Centre and states. He described the conference as a collective effort involving policymakers, administrators, and political leaders working together toward a common national objective.
Urging participants to view their responsibilities as a mission rather than merely a government job, he said that a change in perspective could significantly enhance the impact of rural development initiatives.
He encouraged officials and ministers to take the lessons and recommendations emerging from the conference back to their respective states and implement them at the grassroots level.
Ministers and Officials Discuss Future Roadmap
The first day of the conference featured detailed technical sessions on rural housing, livelihoods, roads, social assistance programmes, financial management, technology adoption, and the use of artificial intelligence in governance.
On the second day, Rural Development Ministers from all states and Union Territories are expected to join plenary sessions to deliberate on policy priorities and future strategies for accelerating rural transformation.
Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani emphasized the need to create sustainable livelihoods in villages to reduce migration to urban areas. He said rural development programmes are increasingly being designed to create productive assets and long-term economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan highlighted the ministry’s efforts over the past two years to strengthen rural communities, empower women through self-help groups, and improve infrastructure and housing access.
Rural Development Achievements Highlighted
Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal presented an overview of the ministry’s achievements over the past decade. He noted that nearly 800,000 kilometres of rural roads have been constructed, around 30 million permanent houses have been built, and approximately 100 million rural women have been linked to self-help groups.
He added that the ministry is now entering a crucial phase focused on maintaining existing assets, ensuring saturation of welfare schemes, and further improving the ease of living for rural citizens.
The conference is expected to culminate in a shared roadmap aimed at accelerating rural development and supporting India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by strengthening its villages—the foundation of the country’s economic and social progress.
