Rural Development for Better Nation

Rural development means improving the quality of life of people living in rural areas. Its main concern is to secure natural resources like agriculture and forest, from exploitation. But the change in the global production network and urbanization have changed the rural areas. A lot of things like manufacturers, tourism, recreation, etc., have affected agriculture as the domain of economic drives. Education, entrepreneurship, physical infrastructure, and social infrastructure all play an important role in developing rural regions. Rural development remains the core of the overall development of the country. More than two-thirds of the country’s people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, and one-third of rural India is still below the poverty line.

Rural development focus on Education, Public health and Sanitation, Women empowerment, Infrastructure development (electricity, irrigation, etc.), Facilities for agriculture extension and research, Availability of credit, Employment opportunities, sufficient and healthy food, etc.

Importance of Rural Development

Rural development is important for the population to live in rural areas and overall economic expansion of the nation. It is very important to be concerned about rural development because it is very important for the evaluation of our nation. It will help to increase productivity, stability in socio and economic development, and social-economic equality.

The main objective of Rural Development

The main objective of the government for rural development is to improve the productivity and wages of rural people, increase the standard of living of the underprivilege population, increase employment opportunities, and provide the basic needs like education, healthcare, rural roads, clean drinking water, sanitation, etc.

Ministry of Rural Development

The Ministry of Rural Development has two departments, the Department of Rural Development and the Department of Land Resources. The Department of Rural Development came into existence as a part of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in October 1974. On 23 January 1982, this ministry was renamed the Ministry of Rural Development. as the Ministry of Agriculture in September 1985. On July 5, 1991, this department was again given the status of Ministry of Rural Development. After that, the name of the department was changed many times. In the year 1999. The department gets it to rename as Ministry of Rural Development. 

The ministry aims to bring change in rural development with various programs. The main objective of this ministry is to remove rural poverty and provide a better quality of life to the rural population, especially the people living below the poverty line. To further enhance the efforts being made in these areas, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Yojana (PMGY), and the Ministry of Rural Development was entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the following parts of the Pradhan Mantri Yojana (PMGY), namely - drinking water supply, Housing construction and construction of rural roads. Many other policies were started by the government for the welfare of the rural population.

Keeping in view the needs and aspirations of the local people, the cooperation of Panchayati Raj Institutions was taken in the implementation of this program. These institutions are a form of decentralized development of planning and its implementation. The Ministry is urging the State Governments to give requisite administrative and financial powers to the Panchayati Raj Institutions at the earliest as stipulated in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment of India. The empowerment of rural women is important for the development of rural India. Therefore, provision has also been made for the contribution of women in poverty alleviation programs so that adequate funds can be arranged for this section of society. The Constitution (73rd) Amendment Act, 1992 provides for reservation of selected posts for women.

The following major programs are being operated in rural areas by the Ministry of Rural Development,

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides employment,
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) for self-employment and skill development,
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAYG) to provide housing to BPL families,
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for the construction of quality roads,
• National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) for Social Pension,
• Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) to improve the productivity of the land.

The annual budget of Rs. 1 35944.29 crores have been allocated to the department of Rural Development for the Financial Year 2022-23.