Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces Rs 6,262cr MNREGA push and 7.85 lakh PMAY homes in Sehore

India’s Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a series of major development works in Sehore district on Saturday, including fresh housing allocations under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a substantial rural employment push through MNREGA. The event, part of the Centre’s broader rural empowerment campaign, marks a significant expansion of ongoing infrastructure and welfare initiatives in the state.

According to details shared during the event, Madhya Pradesh has received a commitment of approximately ₹6,262 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The funds are expected to boost wage-based employment generation in rural areas, while also supporting critical infrastructure such as ponds, farm roads, and check dams.

What happened at the Sehore development launch on June 7?

The event was held in Sehore, a district located just west of Bhopal, and involved both ceremonial inaugurations and formal announcements for future works. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressing the local population, stated that the government remains committed to delivering the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 and that such a goal is only achievable through the development of villages.

He further noted that continuous work is being undertaken to ensure the supply of Narmada water to the region. According to the Minister, this includes plans to extend the river’s water not only to Sehore households but also to the agricultural fields of Ashta and Ichhawar tehsils, where farmers have long awaited dependable irrigation.

In parallel, Chouhan also emphasized the significance of Sehore’s proximity to Bhopal, which he said is currently being developed into a metropolitan city. He stated that this urban expansion would bring infrastructural and economic benefits to adjoining districts like Sehore.

How many homes are being added under PMAY in Madhya Pradesh?

The Union Minister stated that, under the PMAY (Gramin) scheme, a total of 14 lakh houses had already been approved in Madhya Pradesh as per the 2018 survey list. On Saturday, he announced the sanctioning of an additional 7.85 lakh homes for those who remained unapproved in previous cycles. The Minister added that survey and verification work for further applications is underway and that newly identified eligible beneficiaries will be included promptly.

The PMAY scheme aims to ensure that every qualifying rural household receives access to secure, permanent housing. Chouhan reiterated the Centre’s intention to provide homes to “every eligible poor person” and urged local administrative officers to ensure timely disbursal and construction.

Why is MNREGA funding significant for Madhya Pradesh this year?

Madhya Pradesh has been allocated approximately ₹6,262 crore under MNREGA for the current fiscal year. Chouhan stated that the funding will create job opportunities across the state, supporting projects such as rainwater harvesting, farm bunding, and public infrastructure in gram panchayats.

According to state-level employment data from 2024, more than 1.2 crore individuals were registered under MNREGA in Madhya Pradesh, with seasonal work demand rising sharply during the pre-monsoon and post-harvest periods. This latest allocation, which is among the highest for any state this year, is expected to increase average days of employment per household while also targeting water conservation and rural connectivity.

The funding comes amid broader efforts by the Centre to revitalise rural employment guarantees after inflation and climate-related disruptions placed stress on agrarian incomes in the last two years.

What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan say about women empowerment?

Speaking about the progress of women in rural India, Chouhan highlighted the success of the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative — a central government program encouraging women to become financially self-reliant through micro-entrepreneurship. He stated that 1.48 crore women across the country have already crossed the ₹1 lakh annual income threshold and emphasized that the government is working to increase this number significantly.

The initiative, part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, supports Self Help Groups (SHGs) and provides access to training, market linkages, and credit support. Madhya Pradesh has been among the top-performing states in the rollout of women-led income-generating initiatives under this mission.

Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s objective of ensuring that no woman in rural India remains financially dependent and called upon local stakeholders to further empower SHG networks at the village level.

What is the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan and how is it being implemented?

The Union Minister also used the platform to promote the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a rural agriculture mission launched to improve farmer productivity through direct interaction with agricultural scientists. He revealed that over 16,000 scientists have been mobilised to visit rural areas and conduct on-ground outreach sessions with farmers.

These efforts are focused on reducing the lab-to-field gap by simplifying knowledge transfer related to climate-resilient crops, fertiliser efficiency, soil testing, and sustainable irrigation. Chouhan urged farmers to pay close attention to the visiting scientists and adopt modern practices, adding that agricultural productivity was crucial to achieving the Viksit Bharat goal.

The Abhiyan is being run in coordination with agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country and is designed to enhance practical knowledge uptake, especially among small and marginal farmers.

What did Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav promise at the event?

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also addressed the gathering and reiterated the state government’s support for agriculture and rural livelihoods. He assured that irrigation facilities will be provided to every farm and said that wherever necessary, water will be made available through government-assisted channels.

He noted that the state is taking steps to improve command area development and pump-based irrigation networks to reduce dependency on monsoon variability. Dr. Yadav also praised the Centre’s continuous support to the state in expanding welfare schemes, especially in districts that have faced water or income deficits in recent years.

What is the broader context behind these announcements?

The rural development outreach in Sehore is part of a wider mobilisation campaign by the central government across multiple states, timed with the beginning of the 2025–26 fiscal implementation cycle. Recent months have seen increased activity in flagship scheme announcements — from housing and employment to clean water and agriculture — as part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Sehore, located strategically near Bhopal, has emerged as a beneficiary of the spillover effect from state capital development. The announcement of Bhopal’s metropolitan upgrade and its potential cascading impact on adjacent districts like Raisen and Sehore reflects a larger policy shift aimed at urban-rural synergy.

Development experts see the combination of hard infrastructure (like irrigation and housing) with soft support (like entrepreneurship and scientific outreach) as an evolving model of bottom-up governance in the rural domain.