In a bold push for rural revival, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan revealed plans to channel ₹10 lakh crore into village economies over the next 10 years via the Viksit Bharat-Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), dubbed Viksit Bharat-Ji Ram Ji.
Addressing stakeholders in Agartala, Chouhan painted a vivid picture of inclusive growth. The scheme, he said, offers a foolproof blueprint for Developed India, prioritizing the needs of farmers, laborers, and marginalized communities alike.
A standout upgrade: guaranteed 125 workdays per year, up from the previous 100, directly impacting millions of rural workers. Budgetary commitments are robust—₹1.51 lakh crore already disbursed this year, plus ₹55,000 crore more, totaling over ₹2 lakh crore in five years.
Looking ahead, the next half-decade will see ₹10 lakh crore deployed across India’s 2.86 crore gram panchayats, with allocations ranging from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2.75 crore per panchayat for infrastructure and job creation.
Contrasting with past regimes, Chouhan noted the NDA’s ₹8.54 lakh crore expenditure on rural works in 10 years versus UPA’s ₹2.13 lakh crore. Safeguards like unemployment compensation and penalized delays in wage payments add teeth to the program.
The event doubled as a launchpad for 179 projects worth ₹546.79 crore in Tripura, attended by CM Manik Saha, Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, and others. This infusion signals a new era of rural prosperity, aligning with PM Modi’s vision for a self-sufficient Bharat.