Patna: Bihar’s Rural Development and Transport Minister, Shravan Kumar, has instructed departmental officials to ensure employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for 13,000 job seekers who have not yet received work. Speaking at a review meeting at the Irrigation Building’s auditorium, the minister emphasized that every eligible worker should be issued an offer letter and deployed within three days, leaving no delay.
Review of Key Rural Development Schemes
The minister chaired a comprehensive review of various rural development initiatives, including the PM-CM Housing Scheme, Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan (LSBA), Jeevika, MGNREGA, and Jal-Jeevan Hariyali. Officials from across the state presented detailed progress reports, and Shravan Kumar stressed that these schemes form the backbone of rural development in Bihar. He highlighted that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar aims to position the state among the top five states in India, which is achievable only if rural development programs are effectively implemented at the ground level.
Focus on PM-CM Housing Scheme and Pending Payments
During the meeting, the minister reviewed the PM-CM Housing Scheme, noting that between 2016–17 and 2025–26, the target was to construct over 49.3 lakh houses, of which more than 39.36 lakh houses have been completed. He raised concerns about 5–6 thousand beneficiaries who have finished construction but have not yet received the third installment of funds. Officials were directed to ensure payments within the current financial year. Furthermore, cases from 2021–22, 2024–25, and 2025–26 where houses remain incomplete after disbursal of the third installment were discussed, and immediate action was ordered to complete construction before the New Year.
Emphasis on Jeevika and Women’s Employment
Minister Shravan Kumar praised the success of the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme and highlighted Jeevika as a national leader in rural women empowerment. Over 1.5 crore women are actively participating in Jeevika self-help groups, contributing to social and economic development. He emphasized that these programs, alongside MGNREGA, provide livelihood security and strengthen the rural economy.
Weekly Review Meetings to Strengthen Implementation
The department’s Secretary, Lokesh Kumar Singh, announced that weekly review meetings will resume starting next Monday. New District Development Commissioners (DDCs) have been instructed to study all schemes thoroughly. Additionally, the timely disbursement of monthly allowances for sanitation workers involved in door-to-door waste collection was emphasized as a critical concern.
Ground-Level Impact
The directive to provide MGNREGA employment within three days aims to reduce unemployment and strengthen trust in government programs. By streamlining the implementation of housing, sanitation, irrigation, and employment schemes, Bihar is working toward inclusive development and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
This report underscores the state government’s commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and timely delivery of rural development benefits across Bihar.
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