Marking a momentous stride towards bolstering the foundations of rural progress, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has wielded its financial prowess by granting an imposing sum of Rs 1,974.07 crore to the Rajasthan government. This allocation, harnessed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the fiscal year 2023-24, reverberates with the resonance of transformative change, geared towards galvanizing economic prosperity and augmenting the living standards of rural denizens.
A lion’s share of this financial infusion, amounting to Rs 930.44 crore, has been meticulously directed towards the realization of three pivotal rural drinking water supply projects. The canvas of these projects unfurls across the districts of Ajmer, Jalore, and Kota, envisaging a comprehensive solution to the longstanding challenge of clean and potable water provisioning. Through this strategic allocation, a promising ripple of change is set to grace approximately 2,500 villages, illuminating the lives of 2.87 lakh households with the gift of safe and untainted drinking water.
In a resolute quest to enhance the connective sinews of the region, NABARD has earmarked a substantial Rs 926.48 crore for the creation of 676 rural roads. Winding through the arid expanse and tribal hinterlands of the state, these thoroughfares aspire to weave an intricate tapestry of connectivity. The envisaged road network, sinuously threading through 1,229 villages spanning 12 districts, is poised to be the conduit of enhanced accessibility and seamless mobility for goods and populace alike.
Dedicated to the well-being of the rural populace, NABARD’s benevolence extends to the realm of healthcare. An allocation of Rs 117.15 crore has been judiciously set aside for the establishment of 104 veterinary hospitals and 431 sub-centers. Encompassing the entirety of the state’s districts, this healthcare canvas is designed to cater to the diverse needs of livestock owners and agriculturists, furnishing them with top-notch veterinary services. This strategic intervention, characterized by its holistic approach, is poised to catalyze livestock health and bestow a holistic wellness quotient upon the rural fabric.
In tandem with the Rajasthan government, NABARD’s innovative vision embraces the concept of micro-irrigation, enkindling agricultural progress across 4.28 lakh hectares of fertile expanse. The seeds of this agricultural metamorphosis have found a steadfast ally in the form of Rs 740 crore from the Micro Irrigation Fund. This financial synergy is a testament to modern irrigation techniques’ potential in ushering forth water optimization, thereby fostering a paradigm of agricultural growth that reverberates across the rustic landscape.
Turning attention to the critical sphere of water resource management, NABARD’s orchestration extends to the lining of 450 km of earthen canals in the districts of Kota and Bundi. Endowed with the financial impetus of Rs 623.38 crore under the NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance, this visionary endeavor bears the mantle of conservation and efficiency. The realignment and fortification of these water conduits unfurl a tapestry of judicious water distribution, nurturing the agricultural cradle and germinating the seeds of prosperity for farmers and agrarian activities alike.
At its core, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) stands as an eminent sentinel, safeguarding the vibrancy of rural progress. Founded on the bedrock of diligence on 12 July 1982, NABARD assumes the mantle of apex regulator, vigilantly overseeing the functioning of regional rural banks and apex cooperative banks across the vast Indian tapestry. Operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, NABARD’s compass of responsibility encompasses policy sculpting, tactical planning, and the orchestration of credit mechanisms that invigorate agriculture and diverse economic pursuits, fostering the rural renaissance.
Emanating as a beacon of stewardship and vision, Dr. Rajiv Siwach, Chief General Manager of NABARD Rajasthan, amplifies the orchestration of rural development with a zealous commitment to catalyze growth, empowerment, and resilience.