‘Amrit Sarovar Yojana will provide employment to the villagers and will give concrete results in the direction of water conservation: Union Minister gave instructions to connect with local livelihood
Center-State joint initiative to give new direction to agriculture and rural development in Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a high-level review
The objective of the Chhattisgarh government is to ensure the overall prosperity of the villages – Chief Minister Sai
Comprehensive roadmap for development decided in high-level review meeting
Raipur, May 13, 2025: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai today conducted a comprehensive review of the works of Panchayat and Rural Development and Agriculture Department at the Ministry (Mahanadi Bhawan). In the meeting, the status of effective implementation of the schemes of the state and the Center was reviewed and future development strategies were discussed. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the commitment and administrative working style of the Chhattisgarh government and said that the state has done exemplary work in the field of agriculture and rural development. He said that to realize the resolution of developed India, it is our priority to strengthen the concept of advanced village and happy farmer. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said in the meeting that the Chhattisgarh government considers rural development and agriculture as the backbone of the state. He said that our aim is not only to implement the schemes but also to ensure the overall prosperity of the villages. Increasing the income of farmers, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the infrastructure is our top priority. The Chief Minister also underlined that making development reach the remote and deprived areas of the state with the cooperation of the Central Government is a shared responsibility, which the Chhattisgarh government is determined to fulfill.
Chief Minister Sai said that making the rural economy self-reliant, taking digital services to the last mile and providing skill-based employment to the youth is real good governance. He said that our strategy is to bring change in people’s lives instead of limiting the schemes to data only. While reviewing the schemes of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department in the meeting, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pointed out the need to link the ‘Amrit Sarovar’ scheme with local livelihood. He said that this will provide employment to the villagers and will bring concrete results towards water conservation. On the request of the state government, Union Minister Chauhan assured revision of labour budget under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). Also, while reviewing the progress of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), he stressed on speedy construction of approved houses and physical verification of the new surveys being conducted. Union Minister Chauhan praised the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and expressed satisfaction over the progress of construction work being done under the Niyyad Nelanar Yojana, especially in Naxal-affected areas. He said that this scheme is taking development to the remote and challenging areas of the state. The Union Minister praised the ‘Atal Digital Suvidha Kendras’ started by the Chhattisgarh government in the Gram Panchayats and called it a revolutionary step towards digital empowerment in the rural economy. He suggested that this innovation should be studied and implemented in other states as well.
While reviewing the agriculture sector, Chouhan said that efforts are necessary not only in traditional farming but also in allied areas like animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries to increase the income of farmers. He encouraged the adoption of scientific agricultural practices, improved seeds, organic farming and crop rotation. Giving information about a special initiative being started soon by the Central Government, Chouhan said that a team of scientists will visit various districts of the state and train farmers in practical and scientific agricultural techniques. He urged the state government for active participation in this initiative. At the conclusion of the meeting, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence that the Central and State Governments together will take Chhattisgarh to new heights of development with innovative experiments and commitment in the field of agriculture and rural development. Chief Minister Sai assured that the Chhattisgarh Government will take all possible steps to convert this shared resolve into ground reality. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Singh, Principal Secretary Panchayat Department Smt. Niharika Barik, Secretary to Chief Minister P. Dayanand, Additional Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Government of India R. Anand, Joint Secretary of Rural Development Department Amit Shukla, Advisor to Agriculture Ministry Naveen Kumar Vidyarthi, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Shehla Nigar, Secretary of Public Works Department Dr. Kamalpreet Singh and other senior administrative officers were present.