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Modi assures no shortage of funds to develop rural India
The Prime Minister referred to time-bound completion of development programmes and spoke about the use of newer technologies to maintain land records
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked for maximising the reach and utilisation of government schemes in rural India so that no one is left out, and promised that there would be no shortage of funds to develop villages. He also called for an end to the silo-approach among agencies working in rural India and asked officials to work harder to help bring more start-ups to villages.
“In the Budget, we have focused on rural India, the northeast region, the border areas, and the aspirational (underdeveloped) districts,” Modi said while addressing a webinar on the positive impact of Budget schemes on rural India. He underlined the need for adopting new strategies to achieve 100% coverage of the schemes. “How can we ensure optimum utilisation of each and every penny to bring changes in the lives of people in villages? If we are able to do this, you will see that no citizen is left behind.”
The prime minister emphasised the need for time-bound completion of development programmes and spoke about the use of newer technologies to maintain land records. “If all states take up time-bound works, it would be helpful for the people and rural businesses,” he said. “We have to adopt new technology for faster completion of projects with no compromise with quality.”
At the webinar, themed “Leaving no Citizen Behind”, the PM asked for optimum utilisation of money spent on the poor. “A lot of money goes to villages; if that is used at the right time, the situation in villages can change.”
The Prime Minister detailed efforts by his government to ensure that everyone has access to basic facilities -- water, electricity, gas connections, toilets, roads -- which he said his government has worked on over the past seven years. “Now, these schemes must cover 100% of the nation.”
Modi said ₹48,000 crore has been allocated in the Budget for housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. “Houses, along with toilets, gas connections, electricity, and roads are instrumental for growth. In six cities, affordable Light House projects are on.” His reference was to the launch, in January of the Light House Projects in Chennai, Indore, Rajkot, Ranchi, Lucknow, and Agartala to build 1000 houses (in each) using new technologies such as prefabs, monolithic concrete construction, and steel-frame technology.
Modi called for the use of newer technologies to cater to local requirements in rural areas. “We need new technologies in eco-sensitive zones...”
The PM also said the target of 40 million water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission will be completed by 2022. he spoke about the expansion of digital connectivity and added it is not an aspirational issue but a necessity. “It will help create a pool of talent, bring more business in rural areas.”
The prime minister also pushed for the maximisation of the financial inclusion scheme, Jan Dhan Yojana and underlined the role of women power as the foundation of the rural economy. “Financial inclusion has ensured better participation of women in the financial decisions of the families. There is a need to push this participation of women further through self-help groups,” Modi said.
Modi wondered why government agencies worked in silos. He said all agencies involved in rural development should visit villages together on particular days to promote a holistic approach to development.
Modi also proposed competition among villages in a block on eight-10 development parameters on the lines of the competition among aspirational districts.
