Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a comprehensive rural development package for Bihar during a state-level Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana program in Patna. The centerpiece announcement was the approval of 11,18,937 pucca houses for poor families in the state with an allocation of ₹13,427 crore, which was handed over to Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary. Chouhan emphasized that these houses represent dignity and security for poor families rather than mere structures.
Over the past two years, Bihar has seen significant progress in rural housing with 24,30,327 houses approved involving total expenditure of ₹29,164 crore. The Minister highlighted improved transparency in fund transfer mechanisms ensuring benefits reach intended beneficiaries directly.
A major agricultural initiative announced was the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in Bihar, providing farmers protection against crop losses caused by floods, drought, excessive rainfall and other natural calamities. The scheme will offer compensation to eligible farmers facing crop damage, reducing agricultural uncertainty.
Bihar has made substantial progress in farmer registration with 53,83,000 farmer identity cards already created. These digital IDs are designed to streamline beneficiary identification and improve transparency in delivering government schemes to eligible farmers.
Women's economic empowerment received significant focus with emphasis on creating more Lakhpati Didis through Self-Help Groups. The Minister announced plans to establish She-Marts in every district to provide market access for products made by Jeevika Didi and women's SHGs, addressing the need for proper market linkages beyond production support.
Chouhan identified roads, houses, and agriculture as three fundamental pillars of rural development, noting that better connectivity through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, secure housing, and strengthened agriculture would collectively improve rural livelihoods. The Minister acknowledged strong coordination between Central and Bihar state governments under Chief Minister Choudhary's leadership as essential for the state's progress.