The Rajya Sabha today resumed discussion on the working of the Ministry of Rural Development.
Participating in the discussion, Sanjay Singh of AAP criticised the Government, saying that just 3.6 per cent of the Union Budget has been given for rural development. He alleged that there is massive corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission and people are being affected by it.
P P Suneer of CPI said, rural development is not a budgetary exercise, but it is the backbone of the nation’s inclusive growth. He said, more than 2/3rd of the country’s population live in rural areas and their livelihoods, infrastructure and social security depend significantly on policies and allocations made by the Rural Development Ministry. Mr Suneer said, rural India continues to face multiple challenges like unemployment, agrarian distress, infrastructure and inequalities. He demanded adequate funding, timely wage payments, improved support for rural housing and greater empowerment of self-help groups.
Rekha Sharma of BJP said, Government is transforming the lives of 65 per cent of the population living in rural areas of the country. She said, India’s civilizational wisdom has always recognised the villages. Ms Sharma said, the Modi Government is committed to the development of rural India and has allocated 1.94 lakh crore rupees for the purpose in the Union Budget. She said, it reflects the government’s commitment to strengthen rural infrastructure, generating livelihoods and ensuring inclusive growth.
Tiruchi Siva of DMK said government is accountable to the Parliament and Parliament is accountable to the people. He said the responsibility of the Rural Development Minister is to enhance employment opportunities, social security, and infrastructure development in rural areas as well as to ensure sustainable development.
Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena – UBT expressed concern over the agrarian distress in Maharashtra. She said over 750 farmers committed suicide in the period between January to March 2025.
CPI’s Sandosh Kumar P said more funds should be allocated to the Rural Development Ministry. The discussion remained inconclusive. Later, the House took up Special Mentions after which it was adjourned for the day.
