In a significant push towards achieving a poverty-free India, Ministry of Rural Development has announced its renewed commitment to implementing key welfare schemes effectively and on time. During a New Year review meeting held in New Delhi, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Minister of Rural Development, highlighted the importance of setting and achieving monthly targets.
Chauhan highlighted that the ministry’s systematic approach to tracking progress will play a crucial role in transforming villages into hubs of opportunity and growth. “Once targets are set, the path to achieving them becomes clear,” he stated, adding that focused efforts will make poverty-free villages a reality.
The meeting involved an extensive review of flagship programs such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), and others. Chauhan directed officials to ensure that all objectives are met within the stipulated timeframes and encouraged a results-driven work ethic.
Notably, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin achieved remarkable milestones between June and December 2024. Under this scheme, a target to construct 2 crore additional houses for the 2024-29 period was set, with significant progress already evident. Key updates include the launch of the Awas Plus-2024 mobile app in September and the Awas Sakhi app in October to streamline beneficiary services. Additionally, the scheme's highest-ever budget of Rs 54,500 crore for the 2024-25 financial year emphasizes the goal of ensuring housing for all.
As of December 2024, 31.65 lakh houses have been sanctioned, and 4.19 lakh houses have been completed, including 71,000 houses under the PM Janman program. Looking ahead to January 2025, the ministry aims to approve 10 lakh pending houses and release the first instalment to beneficiaries.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan concluded the meeting with a message of hope and determination, wishing citizens a prosperous New Year and reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to creating a poverty-free India through sustained development in rural areas.
