Build a ‘Viksit Gaon’ to achieve a ‘Viksit Bharat’: MoS Pemmasani Chandrasekhar

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Tuesday called for building a ‘Viksit Gaon’ to achieve a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

Addressing the first meeting of Performance Review Committee of the Rural Development Ministry in New Delhi, the MoS said, “A ‘Viksit Gaon’ where every family has a pucca house with basic amenities, the village is connected by quality roads, every rural youth has employment opportunities, and every woman is empowered and financially independent is not a distant dream but an achievable reality.”

“It requires us to work with renewed energy, innovative thinking, and deep commitment,” he said.

Emphasising the role of the Rural Development Ministry in achieving this goal, MoS Chandrasekhar said we are not just implementing the schemes, but writing the next chapter of India’s growth story.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cabinet Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, we have made remarkable progress in rural development,” the MoS said.

Describing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as a weapon against distress migration, especially during agricultural lean seasons, he said, “With Rs 90,000 to Rs 1,00,000 crore annual investment, it has resulted in creation of durable and productive assets”

Over 250 crore person-days have been generated annually, and more than 36 crore job cards have been issued, and over 15 crore workers are benefiting from the scheme, he said.

The MoS suggested shifting from wage payment to meaningful asset creation, adopting diversified work and its convergence with other development schemes and community participation in work selection.

Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), MoS Chandrasekhar said that since its launch, more than 3.22 crore pucca houses have been built for rural families.

A target of constructing 2 crore additional houses by 2029 has been set to meet the rising demand due to family growth and rural population expansion, he said.

The Minister suggested the use of eco-friendly and region-specific construction technologies and cost-effective housing designs for building rural homes.

–IANS

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MP, Chhattisgarh reel under heavy rain; red alerts issued for some parts

Bhopal, June 22 (IANS) Central India continued to face the brunt of active monsoon systems on Sunday, as heavy rainfall lashed large parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, severely disrupting routine life.

More than 22 districts across Madhya Pradesh recorded considerable precipitation, resulting in waterlogging, rising river levels, and widespread emergency response measures.

Amid deteriorating weather conditions, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s helicopter was forced to make an unscheduled landing at the Pipariya helipad in Narmadapuram district.

He later continued his journey by road to the hill station of Pachmarhi with his family.

In a separate incident, Ujjain’s Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple witnessed a structural mishap as a portion of the ceiling plaster collapsed in the temple’s tunnel complex, reportedly due to prolonged leakage from above.

Rainfall intensity varied across districts, with Tikamgarh recording two inches of rain over nine hours, followed by 1.5 inches in Mandla, 1.4 inches in Narmadapuram, 1 inch in Gwalior, and 45 mm across Bhopal-Raisen.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the downpour is being driven by a strong low-pressure system over the region, enhanced by a trough from the west and an active cyclonic circulation.

These combined systems are expected to continue delivering moderate to heavy rain, particularly in eastern and northern Madhya Pradesh.

A red alert has been issued for Agar Malwa, Ujjain, Shajapur, and Rajgarh for June 23. An orange alert is in place for Neemuch and Mandsaur, while several other districts, including Vidisha, Raisen, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Satna, Rewa, and Mauganj, are likely to receive heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms.

Forecasts for the coming days remain grim. On June 24, very heavy rainfall is anticipated in Shahdol, Sagar, Guna, Ashoknagar, and Shivpuri, with persistent showers expected in Gwalior, Datia, Vidisha, Damoh, and Katni.

On June 25, Panna is likely to be the focal point of very heavy rain, while Guna, Ashoknagar, Sagar, Damoh, and Chhatarpur remain on the watchlist for sustained precipitation.

Chhattisgarh is also under a rain alert, with cities like Bhilai experiencing high humidity and intermittent showers.

The IMD has urged residents across both states to remain cautious through the week and follow official advisories amid the ongoing monsoon surge.

–IANS

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Illicit cigarette godown busted in Delhi, two arrested

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) In a breakthrough under the ‘Mission 2027: Drug-Free Delhi’ initiative, a team from the Operations Cell of the South West District Police busted a large illicit cigarette racket and arrested two key suppliers in the Nangal Dewat area of Vasant Kunj.

A total of 94,000 packets of foreign-imported, illegal cigarettes – lacking statutory warnings and MRP as mandated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) – were seized from a basement godown.

The arrested accused have been identified as Parikshit (22), a resident of Vasant Kunj and owner of the godown, and P.P. Chengappa (40) from Karnataka. Both were involved in the smuggling and distribution of cigarettes imported from countries like Greece and Dubai.

The contraband was being circulated across Delhi-NCR and South India through a well-coordinated supply chain.

The seizure includes- 13,000 packets of L&B Original Silver, 5,000 packets of King Size Mayfair, 50,000 packets of Richmond King Size Real Blue, and 26,000 packets of Richmond King Size.

A case under FIR No. 276/25 has been registered at Vasant Kunj South Police Station under Sections 7, 14, and 20(2) of the COTPA Act.

According to police, Parikshit learned trade operations from his father, who runs an import-export business at the airport. He later partnered with a Bengaluru-based agent, Sunil, who introduced him to Chengappa.

Chengappa acted as the link between the cargo supplier and Delhi-based distributors.

The operation was conducted by a team led by Inspector Gajender Singh under the supervision of ACP Vijay Kumar.

The action is part of a special drive launched to clamp down on the supply of prohibited tobacco products in the national capital.

Further investigation is underway to track the broader network involved in this illegal trade, said Amit Goel, DCP, South West District, New Delhi.

–IANS

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Body of govt teacher found with injury marks in Jharkhand’s Deoghar, murder suspected

Deoghar, May 26 (IANS) The body of a government school teacher was found under suspicious circumstances in the forested area near Dighariya Hill in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district early on Monday, officials said.

Multiple injury marks were discovered on the face of Nand Kishore Das, 52, leading police to suspect murder.

Das, a resident of Jasidih under the Jasidih police station limits, taught at Chandramandih Primary School in Jamui district of neighbouring Bihar.

According to his family, Das left his home on Sunday evening, saying he was headed to Tower Chowk in Deoghar to visit the market.

However, when he failed to return home by late night, his family grew anxious. Repeated calls to his mobile phone went unanswered. The family searched for him at local hospitals, railway stations, and other public areas, but to no avail.

The next morning, locals alerted authorities about a body spotted in the Dighariya Hill forest. Police arrived at the scene, recovered the body, and sent it to Sadar Hospital for examination. The deceased was soon identified as Das.

Family members expressed shock over his death, stating that Das had no known enemies and led a quiet life.

They also said that he did not know how to ride a motorcycle, raising further questions about how he ended up in the remote forest area.

Suspecting foul play, the family has submitted a formal application to the police, demanding a thorough investigation into what they believe was a premeditated murder.

The police have launched a probe and are currently reviewing CCTV footage from all routes between Das’ residence and Tower Chowk.

Authorities are trying to determine whether he was accompanied by anyone and how he may have been taken to the secluded area.

A senior police official stated that the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report is received.

Meanwhile, the case has triggered concern and unease in the local community.

–IANS

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