“VB - G RAM G national launch to begin from Andhra Pradesh on July 1”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan

“Andhra Pradesh’s innovation model will become an inspiration for other states”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

“All works under rural development schemes have almost been completed with geo-tagging and face recognition system”: Shri Pawan Kalyan

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan today met Union Minister of Rural Development, and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi and held detailed discussions on the progress of rural

development programmes, employment generation, livelihood enhancement, panchayat development and implementation of various central schemes in the state. The meeting focused on reviewing the current status and future plans for effective execution of these important initiatives.

During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the national launch of ‘Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB - G RAM G)’ will take place from Andhra Pradesh on July 1, 2026. He informed that Rural Development Ministers from all states and Union Territories of the country will join the programme through video conferencing from various field locations across their respective states.

Shri Chouhan said that during the programme, participants will be informed about the Gram Panchayat Development Plan and will also be made aware of the works of model panchayats and zero-waste gram panchayats developed by Andhra Pradesh. The state will present its best models and innovations in the areas of rural administration, sustainable development and community participation so that other states can learn from these successful experiences.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the development journey of Andhra Pradesh and said that it is one of the most progressive states in the country and is known for taking development-related decisions quickly. He said that the state should do more innovation in the field of rural development so that other states can also take inspiration from it. He also said that the successful models and innovations developed by Andhra Pradesh will be shared with other states of the country so that best practices in rural development can be widely disseminated and adopted across India.

During the meeting, Shri Pawan Kalyan, while giving information about the progress of rural development works and schemes in the state, said that all works being carried out under rural development schemes have been geo-tagged to ensure transparency and eliminate any possibility of corruption. He said that the work of a face recognition-based system for beneficiary verification has also been almost completed. He informed that the construction of rural roads and houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) is progressing rapidly in the state. He also gave information that drinking water facilities for livestock have been provided in every panchayat of the state, which is benefiting rural livestock rearers and improving their livelihood conditions.

Shri Pawan Kalyan expressed gratitude to the Central Government and the Ministry of Rural Development for providing a record interim amount of more than Rs. 7,700 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the VB - G RAM G initiative. This significant support will help accelerate various rural development activities in the state.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the state and assured the Andhra Pradesh Government of all possible support from the Ministry of Rural Development. He encouraged the state government to adopt innovation-based development models and implement them on a wider scale. During the meeting, it was also informed that coffee plantation activities have been included under VB - G RAM G in Andhra Pradesh, which will create new livelihood opportunities in rural areas and bring diversity in income sources. The state government is also making special efforts towards the development of model panchayats in coastal areas to promote sustainable growth.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan invited Shri Pawan Kalyan to participate in the National Rural Development Conference to be held in New Delhi on June 28 and 29. In the conference, detailed discussions will be held on the effective implementation of the VB - G RAM G scheme, exchange of experiences of states and innovations in rural development. This platform will help in sharing best practices among all states.

In the meeting, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development Shri Rohit Kansal said that the Ministry will provide all possible support for the development of model panchayats in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. He said that the models being developed in coastal areas will become examples of better use of rural development and local resources for other regions as well.

He also informed that the Ministry will provide support in the initiative for purchase of vehicles for women Self-Help Groups, popularly known as ‘Lakhpati Didis’, to promote rural livelihoods and women empowerment. In this regard, necessary approval has been given by the Ministry of Rural Development under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). This step will further strengthen women’s participation in the rural economy. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Smt. Rohini R. Bhajibhakare, along with senior officers of the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Ministry of Rural Development also participated in the meeting and contributed to the fruitful discussions.