Rajasthan is a state of villages, where three – fourth of population lives in villages. In Rajasthan, villages play an important role in state economy.
Necessity: According to census 2011, 75.2 per cent population of Rajasthan lives in villages. Before the arrival of the British – government, all villages in Rajasthan were economically self – dependent. The British government destroyed the structure of rural employment. Again emphasis on the development of rural areas is being fully given by the government of Independent India. After independence, several program have been started to remove poverty and backwardness of Rajasthan state.
Rural development programs in Rajasthan: For the development of rural areas, a separate rural area ministry has been formed. After independence, in the first five – year plan, community development program, and in 1959, for beneficial participation in development of the state and the system of Panchayati Raj was adopted. Following programmes are being operated in Rajasthan for all – round development of rural areas:
1. Drought development program.
2. Jivandhara yojana.
3. Integrated rural development program.
4. Development program for rural females and children.
5. Self – employment training program for youth.
6. Program for potential drought.
7. Anganwari centres for children’s eduction in rural and backward urban areas.
8. Native neet cattle – breed improvement program.
9. Operation flood and green revolution program.
10. Sheep – breed – improvement program.
11. Bhamashah yojana.
12. Prime Minister road development program.
13. Swarn – Jayanti village self – employment plan.
14. Swajal – Dhara village self – employment plan.
15. Prime minister gramodaya plan.
16. Village cleanliness program.
17. Drinking water supply program in rural areas.
18. Annapurna plan etc.
Future Scope: The all – round development of a country is possible only when rural economy, the backbone of the country, is improved. At present, the name of rural development department has been changed and now it is known as rural development and Panchayati Raj department. The state as well as the central government has contributed share in all-round development of rural areas of Rajasthan state.
