Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri: Shri  Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced a major package of initiatives for Bihar at the state-level Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana program in Patna. He announced the approval of 11,18,937 pucca houses for poor families in the state, along with an allocation of ₹13,427 crore. At the program, attended by Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary and senior ministers of the Bihar government, Shri Chouhan also made several important announcements for the state’s farmers, women and rural population, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development.

Vande Mataram is a Matter of National Pride:Shri  Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Launching a sharp political attack on the Congress party, Shri Chouhan said that the decision to sing only a portion of Vande Mataram was an insult to the sentiments of the country and to the national song. He said that Vande Mataram was not an issue belonging to any particular political party, but was a matter of respect for Bharat Mata. The song had served as a source of inspiration during India’s freedom movement, and singing it in its entirety was a duty of every Indian, he said. Shri Chouhan accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics and alleged that some political parties attempt to distort symbols associated with India’s unity, culture and national identity for political gains. He made it clear that Vande Mataram should be sung in its entirety and that there could be no compromise on an issue linked to national pride.

 

11.18 Lakh Pucca Houses Approved for Bihar

Announcing a major housing package for Bihar, Shri Chouhan said that 11,18,937 pucca houses had been approved for poor families in the state. An allocation of ₹13,427 crore has also been made, and the sanction letter was handed over to the Chief Minister. He said that the initiative was not merely about constructing houses, but about providing dignity, security and a better quality of life to poor families. “A pucca house is not a structure of brick and cement. It is a symbol of dignity and confidence for an entire family,” Shri Chouhan said. He noted that a house protects families from the hardships of winter, summer, rain and storms, and said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to ensuring a pucca house for every poor family was now being realised on a large scale in Bihar.

 

More Than 24 Lakh Houses Approved in Two Years

Taking stock of the progress made over the past two years, Shri Chouhan said that 24,30,327 houses had already been approved for Bihar, involving a total expenditure of ₹29,164 crore. He said the figures demonstrated that the government was not merely making announcements, but ensuring that development reached beneficiaries on the ground. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, funds under government schemes were being transferred to beneficiaries with greater transparency, he said. Targeting previous governments, Shri Chouhan said that earlier the full amount meant for the poor did not always reach them, whereas the present system ensured that every rupee reached its intended destination. He emphasised that these benefits were the rightful entitlement of poor families and not an act of charity or favour. He also credited better coordination between the Central and state governments for accelerating implementation of the housing programme in Bihar.

 

 

Crop Insurance to Provide Protection to Bihar’s Farmers

Shri Chouhan also highlighted the importance of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which will now be implemented in Bihar. He said the scheme would provide farmers protection against crop losses caused by floods, drought, excessive rainfall and other natural calamities. In the event of crop damage, eligible farmers would receive compensation, reducing the uncertainty associated with farming. Shri Chouhan said farmers are the backbone of the country’s food security and that it is the government’s responsibility to protect them against natural risks. Welcoming the Bihar government’s decision, he described the implementation of crop insurance as an important and far-reaching step in the interest of farmers.

 

Strengthening Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

The Union Agriculture Minister said agriculture in Bihar was not merely an economic activity but the foundation of livelihoods for millions of families. He stressed that farmers should not be left completely vulnerable to natural risks and said the Centre and the state government were working together to make agriculture more remunerative and resilient. Along with crop insurance, procurement, support systems and access to technology were also being strengthened, he said. “If the farmer is strong, the village will be strong; and if the village is strong, Bihar will be strong,” Shri Chouhan said, emphasising that agricultural policies must deliver tangible benefits on the ground. He urged farmers to understand their rights and make timely use of the benefits available under the crop insurance scheme.

 

Focus on Creating More Lakhpati Didi

Shri Chouhan also placed strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment. He said that lakhs of women in Bihar were progressing through Self-Help Groups and that a large number of them had already become Lakhpati Didi. He said increasing women’s incomes was a key priority of the government. Through self-employment, group-based enterprises and access to banking and financial services, rural women were emerging as entrepreneurs and creating new economic opportunities for themselves and their families. This transformation, he said, was not merely economic but also social. When women become financially stronger, the economic and social condition of the entire family improves. He described the Lakhpati Didi initiative as an important link between rural development and women’s empowerment.

District-Level Markets to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Shri Chouhan stressed that increasing production by women’s groups would not be enough unless their products also received access to markets. He said efforts would be made to establish She-Marts in every district, providing Jeevika Didi and women’s Self-Help Groups with platforms to sell their products. He said rural women needed support not only in production but also in product development, packaging and marketing. “Products made in villages can succeed only when there is a proper market for them,” he said. He expressed confidence that such market-linkage initiatives would substantially increase women’s incomes and strengthen their economic independence while giving a new direction to the rural economy.

Bihar Commended for Progress in Farmer IDs

The Union Minister also appreciated Bihar’s progress in creating Farmer IDs, stating that 53,83,000 farmer identity cards had already been created in the state. He said the Farmer ID would make it easier to deliver government schemes directly and quickly to eligible farmers, while improving transparency and simplifying beneficiary identification. Digital farmer identification, he said, would make government services more effective and streamline the process from farmer registration to delivery of benefits. He expressed confidence that the registration of the remaining farmers would also be completed soon.

Roads, Houses and Agriculture: Three Pillars of Rural Development

Shri Chouhan also highlighted the importance of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and rural connectivity. He said roads, houses and agriculture were three fundamental requirements for improving rural life. Better roads would connect villages with markets and services, pucca houses would provide security to families, and stronger agriculture would help increase rural incomes. He said the Centre and the Bihar government were working together to transform the state’s villages and ensure that Bihar moved beyond its past developmental challenges and became an integral part of the country’s growth story. Shri Chouhan also appreciated the efforts of the government led by Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary and said strong coordination between the Centre and the state was essential for Bihar’s progress. He reiterated that the government was committed to taking Bihar forward on every front of development.

A large number of women, beneficiaries, public representatives and officials attended the programme. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Agriculture Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rural Development Minister Shri Shravan Kumar, Revenue and Reconstruction Minister Shri Vinod Kumar Jaiswal, Cooperation Minister Shri Ramkripal Yadav, Minister Shri Sunil Kumar, Rural Works Minister Smt. Savita Gupta, the Minister for Social Welfare and several other public representatives were also present.

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