Chhattisgarh’s rural transformation mission has gained significant momentum with renewed coordination between central and state governments.
A high-level review meeting in Raipur’s Mahanadi Bhawan marked a pivotal moment in India’s effort to build self-reliant villages, climate-resilient infrastructure, and a diversified rural economy rooted in sustainability. Senior policymakers from both governments convened to assess progress and align strategies under flagship schemes such as the Amrit Sarovar, MGNREGA, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). The review placed emphasis on accelerating implementation timelines, integrating sustainable practices, and making rural economies climate-smart and digitally inclusive.
Chhattisgarh’s performance in agriculture and rural livelihoods drew strong commendation for policy execution and impact delivery. Key priorities discussed included building robust farm systems through diversification, pushing for green infrastructure, and equipping villages with digital governance tools. Notably, the integration of the Amrit Sarovar water conservation scheme with rural employment strategies was positioned as a key model for ecological resilience. The state’s push to align local job creation with environmental preservation under this initiative was underscored. Community participation was advocated as essential for long-term water security and livelihood generation. Officials were urged to link these water bodies to multiple use-cases from irrigation to aquaculture to maximise their economic and ecological value.
With rural housing and employment at the forefront, the Centre agreed to re-examine MGNREGA labour allocations to better reflect grassroots demand. It also called for quick execution of pending housing projects and more rigorous verification protocols under the rural housing scheme to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left out. Infrastructure and connectivity in rural and remote districts also came under focus, particularly in regions once affected by Left-Wing Extremism. Progress under the rural roads programme, especially in such hard-to-reach areas, was described as not just an engineering achievement but a step towards empowering underserved communities with access to health, education, and trade.
Digital inclusion emerged as another transformative theme. The state’s launch of Atal Digital Suvidha Kendras across gram panchayats has started bridging the digital divide in rural areas. These rural tech hubs, offering services like banking, digital learning, and e-governance, are seen as models that can be scaled nationally to boost digital empowerment in the countryside. On the agricultural front, the review endorsed a clear shift from monoculture to integrated farming systems. Mixed models incorporating animal husbandry, horticulture, and fisheries were encouraged to help farmers reduce climate risk and enhance incomes. The Centre is preparing to roll out a new initiative, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, to provide scientific training to farmers through on-ground visits by agricultural experts. This programme is expected to support local ecosystems while reducing dependence on unsustainable practices.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared belief that sustainable development in rural India must go beyond mere welfare distribution. It must enable dignity, innovation, and long-term self-reliance. With central support and political will, Chhattisgarh is positioning itself as a beacon for rural reform one where environmental stewardship and economic growth go hand in hand.
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