Parliament Question: Transformation of Rural Areas into Smart Villages

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5141 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026 TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL AREAS INTO SMART VILLAGES 5141. Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has initiated steps to transform rural areas into Smart Villages using digital tools for agriculture, water and waste management; (b) if so, the States selected for pilot implementation and the budget allocated for the same; (c) whether it is a fact that diversification of the rural economy through cooperatives and local enterprises is a key focus under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, if so, the achievements made so far and the number of Self-Help Groups upgraded into producer organizations. (d) whether it is a fact that the Government has launched initiatives to integrate renewable energy, particularly solar pumps and biogas, into rural livelihood programmes; and (e) if so, the impact observed on employment generation and rural income levels? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) & (b): As far as the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is concerned, at present there is no proposal to transform rural areas into Smart Villages. However, under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), different modern amenities have been created in rural areas through convergence of funds and resources under Centrally Sponsored, Central Sector and States schemes incentivized by dedicated Critical Gap Fund (CGF). Some important modern amenities, created under 21components of SPMRM in the Rurban Clusters across the country include creation of smart classroom, Wi-Fi hotspots, Citizen Service Centres, Solid and Liquid Waste Treatment Plants, Solar Water Pumps, Water ATMs, e- Page 1 of 2Rickshaw, Digital Library, etc. Further, the Department of Expenditure declared 31st March 2022 as the sunset date for the SPMRM scheme and the funds for the ongoing works were released till 31st March 2023. Accordingly, the scheme now stands closed. (c): Yes, diversification of the rural economy through cooperatives and local enterprise is one of the focuses under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY NRLM). As of now, under non-farm livelihoods, 21 clusters have been promoted, supporting 11548 Self-Help Group (SHG) artisans/entrepreneurs. As part of the farm value chain development strategy under DAY- NRLM, the focus is to promote women-owned producer organisations, such as producer groups and produce enterprise or Farmer Producer Organisation, to help the SHG members get input and better market access. The Mahila Kisans (women farmers/SHG members) are supported to mobilise and establish women owned producer organisations across the country. So far, 1,340 Producer Enterprises or Farmers Producer Organisations, 2.08 lakhs Producer Groups covering around 50 lakhs rural women members have been promoted under DAY-NRLM. (d) & (e): As far as MoRD is concerned, there is presently no specific initiative to integrate renewable energy, particularly solar pumps and biogas, directly into rural livelihood programmes. ***** Page 2 of 2