Rural Development

Eligible projects include warehouses, silos, cold chains, logistics facilities, and smart precision agriculture infrastructure. Loan applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent of the project cost, and an entity can apply for up to 25 projects, each eligible for a loan of up to Rs. 2 crore.

With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.

For Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest producer of jackfruit, the fruit was a natural choice. Jackfruit is also the country’s national fruit and symbolizes abundance. Yet much of the potential of this fruit remained untapped.

Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), a key driver of domestic demand, is projected to grow by 7.3 per cent in 2024-25, a sharp increase from the 4.0 per cent growth recorded in 2023-24.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) includes water conservation and water harvesting structures, enhancing rural water security.

The Punjab government, under an agreement with the World Bank, refrained from procuring wheat, leaving growers at the mercy of market forces.

Though the government is set to announce that the project represents innovative infrastructure driving regional transformation and a beacon of hope for the people of Bundelkhand, many environmentalists strongly oppose the project due to its environmental impact.

The panel discussion underscored the critical importance of accurately measuring poverty in India, not just as an academic exercise but as a foundational step toward addressing systemic inequities.