Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Viksit Bharat G-Ram G Yojana from Andhra Pradesh, announcing Rs. 7,707 crore for rural development, housing, roads and relief for Totapuri mango farmers.
Tirupati: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) from Mukkavaripalli village in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district, describing it as a transformative rural employment programme that guarantees 125 days of employment and significantly expands the scope of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The launch was attended by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers of State Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmmasani and Kamlesh Paswan, besides public representatives and thousands of villagers.
Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the new programme reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ensuring "every hand gets work and every stomach gets food." He said the scheme provides a legal guarantee of employment within 15 days of demand, failing which eligible workers will receive unemployment allowance. The Minister also announced that delayed wages would attract interest, ensuring workers receive the full value of their labour.
He said the scheme would involve an expenditure of about Rs. 1.51 lakh crore in its first year, including the Centre's share of over Rs. 95,000 crore, with a target investment of Rs. 7.5 lakh crore over the next five years. The programme will benefit 2.86 lakh Gram Panchayats, with each Panchayat expected to receive an average of more than Rs. 2 crore annually for rural infrastructure and employment generation.
As a major boost to Andhra Pradesh, the Union Minister announced a special allocation of Rs. 7,707 crore for nine months under the scheme. He also announced revised wage rates, stating that no worker under the programme would receive less than Rs. 300 per day. In Andhra Pradesh, wages have been fixed between Rs. 312 and Rs. 315.
Chouhan also handed over approval letters sanctioning 74,212 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and approved 146 rural roads and 19 bridges under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) at a cost of more than Rs. 422 crore.
Providing relief to mango growers, the Union Minister announced procurement of Totapuri mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to ensure remunerative prices for farmers. He also said scientific teams would work with the state government on productivity enhancement and improved mango varieties.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the initiative and said Andhra Pradesh would continue pursuing balanced development with one permanent capital. He reiterated the government's plan to invest Rs. 1 lakh crore to develop the state into a horticulture hub.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan praised Shivraj Singh Chouhan's contribution to public service and rural development, describing his 49-year public life as an inspiration for farmers and rural India.
The Union Minister also urged citizens to participate in environmental conservation by planting at least one tree every year, calling for collective efforts towards building Viksit Bharat through stronger villages and sustainable development.
