Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced that the government will organise a two-day national Chintan Shivir on rural development in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on September 4–5, 2025. The Shivir aims to accelerate comprehensive rural development and ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach people directly.
While chairing a meeting with state rural development ministers via video conference, Chouhan said the Shivir will focus on creating a roadmap for rural development over the next five years. The discussions will aim to identify gaps in existing schemes, strengthen their implementation, and explore ways to increase employment opportunities in villages.
Chouhan also highlighted the success of women-centric initiatives under Ministry of Rural Development. “More than two crore women have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ earning over Rs 1 lakh annually. We are close to reaching the target of three crore,” he said. He further acknowledged the progress made under flagship schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and skill development programs, which have helped improve rural livelihoods.
Minister outlined that rural development ministers, senior officials from states and Union Territories, central ministry representatives, domain experts, community leaders, field workers, and beneficiaries will participate in the Chintan Shivir.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s Independence Day message that “a Government should be visible not in files but in people’s lives,” Chouhan emphasised the importance of making government initiatives more effective on the ground.
The video conference was also attended by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani and Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh, who underlined the government’s commitment to strengthening rural development and empowering women across India.
