Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma interacts with villagers in Pratapgarh, stresses rural self-reliance
Jaipur [Rajasthan]: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday said the state government is engaging directly with villagers through its ‘Gram Vikas Yatra’ outreach programme to identify grassroots issues and strengthen rural development, ahead of the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM), scheduled later this month.
Speaking during his visit to Bambori village in Pratapgarh, Sharma said the initiative aims to connect with people across constituencies and understand local challenges firsthand.
“Today, we visited Bambori village and held discussions with elders, youth and women of the community. Under the ongoing ‘Gram Vikas Yatra’, our representatives — including current and former MLAs, MPs and party workers — are visiting villages across the state to understand local concerns,” Sharma told ANI.
He said the outreach programme is helping the government assess how economic support can be extended to farmers, cattle rearers, women and labourers.
“The advantage of visiting villages is that we get to know their problems and understand how we can provide economic support to farmers, livestock rearers and women. Our focus is to ensure economic stability and connect labourers with self-employment opportunities,” he said.
The chief minister also highlighted preparations for the GRAM programme, scheduled from May 23 to 25, saying the state is focusing on agro-processing, dairy development and cooperative-based rural infrastructure.
“It is encouraging to see enthusiasm among villagers for setting up local processing units, increasing dairy production and establishing milk collection centres. By linking these sectors with the cooperative framework, we want to promote self-reliance in rural areas,” Sharma said.
He said local processing of agricultural produce would play a key role in improving farmers’ incomes.
“Our farmers can achieve true economic prosperity only when fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses and oilseeds are processed locally. We are working towards establishing processing units in villages so that farmers receive direct support,” he added.
Sharma spent Wednesday night in Bambori village and interacted with residents during a morning walk on Thursday. He visited homes, spoke to villagers about local issues and reviewed the implementation of welfare schemes.
During the visit, Sharma met elderly residents, interacted with children and distributed chocolates. He also checked a child’s notebook and signed it after reviewing the work.
The chief minister reviewed local facilities and discussed healthcare and pension schemes with villagers. He also interacted with women associated with the Rajivika self-help group initiative.
Sharma said the vision of a developed Rajasthan could only be realised through the development of villages.
During the visit, the CM also offered prayers at Laxminath Temple and Charbhuja Nath Temple in Bambori village.
(DD News)
