New Delhi, June 16 (AHN) Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that the national launch of the 'Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin)' (VB-G RAM G) will take place from Andhra Pradesh on July 1.

The announcement was made during a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, where the two leaders reviewed the implementation of rural development programmes, employment generation initiatives, livelihood enhancement schemes and panchayat development projects in the state.

Chouhan said that Rural Development Ministers from all states and Union Territories would participate in the launch programme through video conferencing from various field locations across the country.

“The event would showcase Andhra Pradesh's successful models in rural governance, including its Gram Panchayat Development Plan, model panchayats and zero-waste gram panchayats,” Chouhan stated.

Praising Andhra Pradesh's development efforts, the Union Minister described the state as one of the most progressive in the country and said it has earned a reputation for taking swift decisions on development-related matters.

He encouraged the state to continue innovating in rural development and said its successful models would be shared with other states as examples of best practices.

During the meeting, Kalyan briefed the Union Minister on the progress of various rural development schemes in Andhra Pradesh.

He said all projects under rural development programmes have been geo-tagged to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.

He also informed that work on a face recognition-based beneficiary verification system is nearing completion.

The Deputy Chief Minister said construction of rural roads and houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) is progressing rapidly across the state.

He added that drinking water facilities for livestock have been established in every panchayat, benefiting rural livestock rearers and strengthening livelihood opportunities.

Kalyan thanked the Centre and the Ministry of Rural Development for providing an interim allocation of more than Rs 7,700 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the VB-G RAM G initiative.

He said the funds would help accelerate rural development projects and improve infrastructure in villages.