Centre Releases ₹4,384 Crore to Rajasthan Under MGNREGA; Rural Housing and Agriculture Schemes to Get a Boost

New Delhi– In a major step towards strengthening rural development in Rajasthan, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma today at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. The high-level meeting focused on accelerating rural infrastructure, employment, housing, and agricultural growth in the state. Senior officials, including Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, Rural Development Secretary Shailesh Singh, and ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, were also present.

During the meeting, the Union Minister announced the release of ₹4,384 crore to Rajasthan under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the current financial year. Of this, ₹3,286 crore has been allocated for wages, ₹944 crore for materials, and ₹154 crore for administrative expenses. CM Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed gratitude to the central government, emphasizing that the funding would provide crucial support to rural job generation and asset creation across the state.

A key highlight of the meeting was the review of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). Shivraj Singh Chouhan commended Rajasthan’s performance in implementing the scheme and assured that additional housing approvals—covering over 7.46 lakh homes, including those under the PM-JANMAN scheme—will be granted swiftly once the ongoing survey verifications are completed. The discussions also included progress under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and adult literacy initiatives.

On the agriculture front, both leaders explored ways to enhance farmer incomes and improve resource use efficiency. Schemes like ‘Per Drop More Crop’ under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), rainwater harvesting through pond-like tanks, and assistance for fencing were discussed in detail. The Chief Minister proposed appointing agricultural supervisors at the Gram Panchayat level with central support, aiming to bridge the gap between policy and grassroots implementation.

In addition, there was a strong push for promoting Rajasthan’s agri-trade potential. Discussions included notifying Rajasthan’s superior peanut varieties, promoting castor oil exports, and facilitating interstate trade. CM Sharma also briefed the Union Minister about the positive impact of this year’s monsoon in the state, expressing hope for a significantly better harvest in 2025.

This meeting marks a significant step in aligning state and central efforts for holistic rural and agricultural development in Rajasthan, with a focus on welfare, sustainability, and economic empowerment.