New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked officials and stakeholders entrusted with the rural development scheme of the central government to ensure optimum utilization of each and every penny planned for betterment of rural India.
Addressing an webinar on Positive Impact of Union Budget 2022 on rural development, Modi said, “Mahatma Gandhi once said the soul of India lives in its villages, and it should be our responsibility to fulfil this vision with new energy, new strategies and new hope to uplift rural India.”
“As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we need to take the leadership and responsibility for the development of our villages. We need to ensure that every penny of the budget is utilised optimally,” he said.
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He explained that the budget has given clear road map for achieving the goal of saturation of government development measures and schemes and how basic amenities can reach to cent percent population. “The Budget has made essential allocations for every scheme like PM Awas Yojana, Gramin Sadak Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, connectivity of North-East, broadband in villages”, he said. “Similarly, Vibrant Village programme, announced in the budget is very important for the border villages”, he added.
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The Prime Minister pointed out that rural digital connectivity is no longer mere aspiration but has become a necessity. “Broadband will not only provide facilities in the villages but will also create a big pool of skilled youth in the villages”, he said. Broadband, the Prime Minister said, will expand the service sector to increase capabilities in the country. He also emphasized need for proper awareness regarding proper use of the broadband capabilities where the work is already completed.
The Prime Minister underlined the role of woman power as the foundation of 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”, he added.
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Talking about the target of 4 crore water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Prime Minister asked to enhance the efforts. He also appealed to every state government to be very vigilant about the quality of the pipelines and water that is proposed to be provided. “One of the key features of this scheme is that there should be a sense of ownership at the village level and ‘water governance’ is strengthened. Keeping all this in Mind, we have to take tap water to every household by 2024”, the Prime Minister said.
