Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Shri Pemmasani Chandrasekhar has said a Viksit Bharat – a developed India - is not possible without empowered rural communities. Addressing the Regional Rural Workshop under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin at Miramar in Goa today, the Minister said when our villages prosper, Bharat prospers. Under PM Shri Narendra Modi's transformative vision, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana embodies the true spirit of Antyodaya—uplifting the last person in the queue, he said.

Stating that the PMAY- Gramin has been more than a policy, under the scheme hope materialized, dreams given concrete form and families lifted from uncertainty to security. “With an ambitious goal of 4.95 crore houses by March 2029, we have already made remarkable strides. As of today, a total of 3.90 crore targets have been allocated, 3.69 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.76 crore homes have been completed. Each number represents a family sleeping peacefully, children studying in safety, and elders aging with dignity”, he said.

Saying that the transformation doesn’t stop at the doorstep, the Minister said the Govt is converging PMAY-G with flagship schemes like Ujjwala, Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat to create holistic habitats, not just homes. We are ensuring that every rural family has access to clean water, sanitation, and clean cooking fuel.

The Govt’s vision extends far beyond bricks and mortar. Through our mason training programs, we are creating an army of skilled artisans in rural India. This is economic empowerment in its purest form—creating jobs, building expertise, and ensuring that rural youth become the authors of their own prosperity, he said.

“We are exploring Green Housing, where environmental consciousness blends with affordable construction, giving rise to homes that care not just for families, but for the planet itself. Embracing Artificial Intelligence in beneficiary selection, where technology becomes the great equalizer—ensuring that it is merit, not influence, that determines who receives support”, he said.

“We are aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, connecting our local aspirations to global responsibilities—so that every village contributes to the progress of humanity. And we are reimagining microfinance, turning it into a powerful bridge—one that links rural aspirations with real opportunities, empowering people to turn dreams into achievements”, Shri Pemmasani stated.

As we step into the Amrit Kaal, the Minister said, it is no longer just about numbers—it’s about quality, sustainability, and long-term impact. By embracing innovation, data, and inclusive financing, we can shape rural development. Every family that moves from a kutcha to a pucca house with effective convergence is taking a step toward national transformation, he added.

Among others, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, state Rural Development, Culture and Sports Minister Shri Govind Gaude, senior officials from the Central and State Govt were present.

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