Centre Announces Rural Development Push

The Centre announced a ₹1.25 lakh crore rural development push with a new framework effective from 1 July 2026.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a meeting with Rural Development Ministers of states and Union Territories. The Centre announced a ₹1.25 lakh crore provision for rural development, with a new framework scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2026. An interim allocation of ₹95,692 crore was announced for states, while ₹30,000 crore had already been allocated under MGNREGA. The initiative focuses on rural employment, worker protection and direct benefit delivery through panchayats.