Funding of 4,384 Crore INR Allocated by the Center to Rajasthan through the MGNREGA Scheme
Rajasthan's Agriculture and Housing Progress Discussed in New Delhi Meeting
On July 28, 2025, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in New Delhi. The meeting, held at Krishi Bhawan, focused on the holistic development of agriculture and rural sectors in Rajasthan.
The discussions began with an update on the progress of 'Per Drop More Crop' under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY). Both leaders expressed optimism about an improved agricultural yield in 2025. They also explored opportunities to boost interstate trade.
In the realm of rural housing, the meeting highlighted the active progress of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G) in Rajasthan. As part of the "Housing for All" mission, the government aims to build 2 crore rural houses by 2028-29, with a large budget outlay, including central and state contributions.
Chief Minister Sharma briefed the Union Minister about the good rainfall in the state this monsoon and the progress made in constructing pucca houses for rural families living in kutcha houses. The leaders reviewed the implementation of the PMAY-G, with a focus on enhancing central support for Rajasthan's schemes, particularly in employment generation, housing, and irrigation development.
Key highlights regarding rural housing construction and approval status in Rajasthan include:
- The PMAY-G targets rural households identified through updated databases like SECC 2011 and Awas+ 2018, with priority for first-time beneficiaries for FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29.
- The housing plans now include minimum house size requirements (25 square meters approximately) and kitchen provisions to improve living standards.
- The application window for PMAY-G has been extended to December 30, 2025, indicating ongoing registrations and approval processes in Rajasthan.
- Surveys (Awas Plus Survey) to verify land ownership and beneficiary eligibility are underway or completed, followed by preparation of beneficiary lists at the Gram Panchayat level, enabling timely approvals and fund disbursement.
- Disbursement of installments for approved houses has been initiated across states, including Rajasthan, with beneficiaries receiving first, second, and third installments.
In addition, Minister Chouhan praised Rajasthan's efforts under the scheme and assured timely approval for additional housing once the ongoing surveys are verified. He mentioned that Rs 4,384 crore had been released to Rajasthan under MGNREGA for the ongoing financial year, including Rs 3,286 crore for wages, Rs 944 crore for materials, and Rs 154 crore for administrative expenses.
Chief Minister Sharma proposed deploying agricultural supervisors at the Gram Panchayat level, to which the Union Minister expressed his request for central assistance. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working towards the betterment of Rajasthan's agriculture and rural sectors, as well as the construction of pucca houses for eligible rural households.
Furthermore, Minister Chouhan sought national-level recognition for Rajasthan's premium peanut varieties and castor oil. The meeting also discussed the construction of rainwater harvesting structures and fencing initiatives to protect crops, with Chief Minister Sharma expressing gratitude and assuring efficient utilization of the funds for creating rural employment opportunities.
In all, the meeting served as a platform for both central and state governments to discuss and strategize on the development of Rajasthan's agricultural and rural sectors, as well as the progress of the PMAY-G. With the extension of the application window and ongoing surveys, it is expected that a total of 7.46 lakh rural houses will be built in Rajasthan, including those under the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Sources: [1] Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G) - Rajasthan. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://pmayg.gov.in/state_wise_data/rajasthan.html
[2] PMAY-G: Installment disbursal for approved houses initiated across states. (2025, July 24). Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/pmay-g-installment-disbursal-for-approved-houses-initiated-across-states/2386577/
[3] PMAY-G: Application window extended to December 30, 2025. (2025, July 22). Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pmay-g-application-window-extended-to-december-30-2025-121072200259_1.html
In an expansion of their discussion on the rural development of Rajasthan, the Union Minister expressed an interest in exploring opportunities to boost interstate trade and finance, recognizing the potential for business growth in the region.
In light of the ongoing progress of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G) in Rajasthan, they also addressed the need for industry-level support to further enhance employment generation, housing, and irrigation development in the state's rural sectors.
