New Delhi: The Centre has approved 11,18,937 pucca houses for poor families in Bihar, with an allocation of ₹13,427 crore, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced at a state-level Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana programme in Patna on Wednesday.
The announcements covered housing, crop insurance, women’s livelihoods, farmer identification and rural connectivity, with the Centre and Bihar government highlighting coordinated efforts for rural development.
24.30 Lakh Houses Approved in Two Years
Chouhan said 24,30,327 houses have been approved for Bihar over the past two years, involving a total expenditure of ₹29,164 crore.
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He said the latest approval of 11.19 lakh houses would provide poor families with pucca homes and described housing as a means of providing security and dignity.
Crop Insurance to Be Implemented in Bihar
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will now be implemented in Bihar, according to the announcement.
The scheme will provide eligible farmers protection against crop losses caused by natural calamities, including:
- Floods
- Drought
- Excessive rainfall
- Other natural calamities
Chouhan said farmers whose crops are damaged would receive compensation according to the provisions of the scheme.
She-Marts Planned in Every District
The Union Minister also announced a focus on expanding markets for products made by women’s Self-Help Groups and Lakhpati Didis.
Efforts will be made to establish She-Marts in every district, providing Jeevika Didis and women’s SHGs with platforms to sell their products.
The initiative will also focus on:
- Product development
- Packaging
- Marketing
- Market access
Chouhan said increasing production would need to be accompanied by access to markets to increase women’s incomes.
Bihar Creates 53.83 Lakh Farmer IDs
Bihar has created 53,83,000 Farmer IDs, Chouhan said.
According to the announcement, the digital identification system is intended to facilitate the delivery of government schemes to eligible farmers and improve beneficiary identification.
He also expressed confidence that registration of the remaining farmers would be completed soon.
Roads, Housing and Agriculture Highlighted
Chouhan identified roads, houses and agriculture as three key areas of rural development.
He highlighted the role of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in improving rural connectivity and linking villages with markets and services, alongside housing and agricultural support.
The programme was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and ministers and public representatives from the state.
Chouhan Slams Opposition Over Vande Mataram
Chouhan also criticised the Congress over its decision to sing only a portion of Vande Mataram. He said the national song is a matter of national pride and respect for Bharat Mata, and accused the Congress of engaging in vote-bank politics.
He said Vande Mataram had inspired the freedom movement and asserted that it should be sung in its entirety.
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