Agartala, Feb 11: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a massive ₹10 lakh crore investment in rural India over the next decade under the Viksit Bharat-Jeevan Ram Ji (Viksit Bharat-Ji Ram Ji) scheme, aimed at transforming rural livelihoods and employment.
Speaking at a conference in Tripura’s capital, Chouhan described the initiative as a comprehensive roadmap for a developed India, meticulously designed to uplift every section of society. ‘This is not just a program; it’s a guarantee for progress,’ he emphasized.
The scheme enhances the rural employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days annually, ensuring more stable income for rural households. For the current fiscal, ₹1,51,282 crore has been allocated, with an additional ₹55,000 crore from the Finance Commission, pushing the five-year total beyond ₹2 lakh crore.
Over the next five years alone, ₹10 lakh crore will be infused into rural areas, benefiting 2.86 crore gram panchayats. Each panchayat stands to receive between ₹1.50 crore and ₹2.75 crore, fueling local development projects.
Chouhan highlighted the NDA government’s stellar record, spending ₹8.54 lakh crore on rural jobs in the last decade compared to UPA’s ₹2.13 lakh crore. Key features include unemployment allowances if work isn’t provided within 15 days and interest on delayed payments.
In a significant move, the minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 179 rural development projects in Tripura, with a total investment of ₹546.79 crore. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and other dignitaries joined the event, underscoring the scheme’s nationwide momentum.
This ambitious plan promises to bridge urban-rural divides, fostering self-reliance and economic growth at the grassroots level. As India marches towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, rural empowerment remains at the heart of the vision.