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Priya Singh
Baran: Rajasthan is set to receive 2,89,355 new houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), with a total project outlay of ₹3,473 crore.
Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed over the approval letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma during a state-level PMAY-G programme in Baran. An additional ₹340.59 crore was also approved for agricultural development and the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
According to Shri Chouhan, a survey of 29,13,749 new potential beneficiaries has been completed. After physical verification, houses will be sanctioned for eligible families.
He also directed authorities to display beneficiary lists at district and panchayat levels, hear objections and ensure that eligible families are not left out because of errors in the process.
The Union Minister highlighted three changes in the eligibility criteria for housing assistance.
Families owning a two-wheeler can now qualify for a pucca house. The monthly income limit for women has also been raised from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000. Small farmers owning up to 5 acres of unirrigated land or 2.5 acres of irrigated land will also be eligible.
Shri Chouhan said 16 lakh women in Rajasthan have already become Lakhpati Didis. The target has now been increased to 32 lakh.
He added that ₹13,400 crore has so far been disbursed through various banks to support women's entrepreneurial activities.
Speaking about the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Yojana, Shri Chouhan said Rajasthan has been given a target of ₹12,000 crore in investment over the next nine months.
The initiative aims to strengthen development at the grassroots level, with approximately ₹80 lakh targeted annually for each gram panchayat. Development plans, he said, should be shaped according to local priorities at the panchayat level.
On fertiliser availability, Shri Chouhan said the government is continuing to protect farmers from high international prices.
While the cost of a urea bag is around ₹3,000, farmers will continue to receive it at ₹266. He also warned of strict action against black marketing of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
The Minister also announced plans to introduce stronger legislation on pesticides and seeds in Parliament to tackle the sale of fake pesticides and substandard seeds.
The proposed measures are aimed at providing stronger protection to farmers and ensuring greater accountability in the agricultural input market.
Shri Chouhan said a comprehensive agricultural roadmap would be prepared for the Kota-Jhalawar region in consultation with scientists and farmers.
The plan will focus on the complete agricultural value chain, including new crops, processing, marketing and exports, with the aim of improving farmers' incomes from the farm gate to global markets.
The programme also included a call for greater public participation in social and environmental initiatives, including tree plantation, education for girls and efforts towards a drug-free society.
