In a major boost to rural development, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched an ambitious expansion of the rural employment scheme under the ‘Mission Gram’ initiative. This move aims to generate thousands of jobs in villages across the state, addressing unemployment and boosting local economies.
The announcement came during a high-profile event in Gandhinagar, where CM Patel emphasized the government’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Gaon’ – self-reliant villages. The expanded scheme will now cover additional districts, increasing daily wage opportunities for rural workers from marginalized communities.
Under the new plan, the daily wage rate has been hiked, and infrastructure projects like road construction, water conservation, and farm pond building will create sustained employment. ‘Our goal is to ensure every rural family has access to 100 days of work annually,’ Patel stated, highlighting the scheme’s role in poverty alleviation.
This expansion builds on the success of existing programs, where over 50 lakh man-days of work have been generated in the past year. Experts hail it as a game-changer for Gujarat’s rural landscape, potentially setting a model for other states. With monsoon approaching, work orders are being fast-tracked to maximize impact.
Local leaders and farmers welcomed the decision, noting it will curb migration to cities. As Gujarat marches towards becoming a $500 billion economy, initiatives like Mission Gram are pivotal in inclusive growth, ensuring no village is left behind.