Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Key Rural Development Initiatives in Madhya Pradesh

Shri Chouhan emphasized the government's continuous efforts to assist farmers by purchasing lentils, black gram, and pigeon pea at MSP and releasing 109 new seed varieties.

Union Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in the Rural Self-Employment Programme under the Ministry of Rural Development. During the event, he launched the Awas Sakhi Mobile App as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and inaugurated 100 Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs) across 18 states. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for 500 kilometers of newly paved roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and introduced the Gram Sadak Survey & Planning Tool. The occasion also marked the approval of five new RSETI training centers in Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the government's focus on rural employment and infrastructure.

Key leaders present at the event included Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Mohan Yadav, Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan, and Panchayati Raj Minister Shri Prahlad Patel, alongside various ministry and state officials.

Expansion of Housing and Rural Development Initiatives

Minister Chouhan announced the commencement of a national survey of kuccha houses (temporary housing) to include those left out of the 2018 list for pucca (permanent) houses under PMAY. He emphasized that the survey will be completed within six months to ensure that no eligible family is left out, even if they own a phone, motorcycle, or scooter.

He also highlighted the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which aims to ensure that every rural woman, or "Didi," has an income of over ₹10,000 per month. For this initiative, ₹100 crore has been allocated, further strengthening rural self-sufficiency programs across India.

The criteria for PMAY have also been revised to include households with an income of up to ₹15,000 per month (previously ₹10,000). Additionally, farmers with irrigated land up to 2.5 acres or non-irrigated land up to 5 acres are now eligible for housing benefits.

Support for Farmers and Agriculture

The Minister assured farmers that the government is working diligently to address agricultural concerns. To counter falling soybean prices due to foreign oil imports, the government will impose a 27.5% tax on imported oil to boost domestic soybean prices. Registration for the purchase of soybeans at the minimum support price (MSP) has also opened, and Madhya Pradesh has already procured the entire moong crop. Furthermore, the minimum export rate on Basmati rice has been removed, facilitating foreign exports and potentially increasing domestic prices.

Shri Chouhan emphasized the government's continuous efforts to assist farmers by purchasing lentils, black gram, and pigeon pea at MSP and releasing 109 new seed varieties. He also mentioned that the MSP for Rabi crops will soon be announced, benefiting farmers further.

Commitment to Rural Welfare and EducationIn his speech, Shri Chouhan reiterated his commitment to serving the rural population and promised that Sehore district, among others, would not be neglected. He vowed that the central and state governments would continue their financial support and assistance for rural development. Plans to open more CM state schools were also announced, alongside a celebration of the bonus given on tendu leaves, crucial for tribal and rural livelihoods.

Minister Chouhan concluded his address by wishing everyone a blessed Navratri and reaffirmed the central and state governments' dedication to uplifting the poor and enhancing agricultural prosperity across Madhya Pradesh.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts to double farmers' incomes and improve rural infrastructure will continue, leaving no stone unturned in supporting the development of Madhya Pradesh and the rest of the country.