Jaipur, July 7 (IANS) Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday met the Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi to review the implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM G) initiative and other rural development programmes in the state.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the progress of Gram Sabha-led planning, transparent utilisation of public funds, and the Gram Chaupal model, which they said have accelerated rural employment generation, creation of durable community assets and holistic development across Rajasthan.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the implementation of rural development programmes and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening participatory, transparent and sustainable rural governance.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre is implementing a bottom-up development model, where planning begins at the village and gram panchayat level, ensuring that development projects reflect local priorities.

Through Gram Sabhas, villagers identify and prioritise works that address local needs while creating long-term public assets.

Highlighting the progress of the VB-GRAM G programme, Union Minister Chouhan said that Rs 445 crore has already been released to Rajasthan, of which nearly Rs 200 crore has been utilised.

He added that the second instalment of Rs 180 crore would be released after substantial and timely utilisation of the existing funds.

Union Minister Chouhan also praised Rajasthan’s implementation of the scheme, saying that Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat meetings are actively determining village-specific development priorities.

He said the programme is expected to channel nearly Rs 12,000 crore annually into rural development works across the state, generating employment while creating durable assets that will strengthen the rural economy.

The Union Minister also commended Rajasthan’s performance under the PM Micro Irrigation Scheme, noting that the state fully utilised its sanctioned allocation within the stipulated time, making it eligible for additional financial assistance.

He also said that expenditure reconciliation under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is being carried out to ensure financial transparency and eliminate pending liabilities.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma thanked the Union government for its continued support, saying Central schemes have significantly boosted employment generation and infrastructure development in rural Rajasthan.

He said the state government is giving priority to works identified by Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats while ensuring people’s participation remains central to rural planning and implementation.

The meeting also highlighted the Chief Minister’s Gram Chaupal initiative as a successful model of participatory governance.

Union Minister Chouhan said Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma regularly visits villages, interacts with women, youth, farmers and public representatives, and personally reviews local issues to ensure timely implementation of government programmes at the grassroots.

Praising the Rajasthan government’s approach, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that gram sabha-based planning, transparent fund utilisation, effective implementation of micro-irrigation programmes and the Gram Chaupal initiative have positioned Rajasthan as a model for rural development.

He expressed confidence that sustained implementation of these initiatives would accelerate the state’s journey towards comprehensive and planned development of every village.

–IANS

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