**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma met on June 2, 2026, to review the progress of central agriculture and rural development schemes in Assam. The meeting focused on fund allocation, the replacement of MNREGA with the Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission starting July 1st, and the introduction of a climate-specific Agriculture Action Plan. Key outcomes include the opening of a special digital survey window for tea garden workers to access housing benefits.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Rural Development and Housing**
* **Mission Transition:** MNREGA will be replaced nationwide by the Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission (Rural) starting July 1st.
* **PMAY-G Progress:** Technical bottlenecks in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin system have been resolved to facilitate smoother implementation.
* **Support for Tea Workers:** A special digital survey window will be opened to record eligible tea garden workers—who recently received land ownership rights (Patta)—for PMAY-G benefits.
**Agricultural Infrastructure and Planning**
* **Agriculture Action Plan:** A customized plan based on Assam’s specific soil and climatic characteristics was handed over to the State government.
* **Facility Approvals:** The central government approved 1,500 new bamboo polyhouses, a Pesticide Testing Lab, and an Edible Oil Testing Lab under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
* **Research and Biodiversity:** Existing centers of Assam Agricultural University (AAU) will be strengthened, including programs for spices and the state flower (Foxtail Orchid) in collaboration with the Institute of Floriculture, Pune.
**Empowerment and Social Welfare**
* **Lakhpati Didis:** Assam has exceeded targets by creating over 9 lakh 'Lakhpati Didis'; work will accelerate through incubators at AAU to strengthen these enterprises.
* **Gender-Specific Support:** Efforts are underway to provide agricultural power weeders specifically to women farmers.
* **KVK Employees:** Discussions were held to resolve pending cases regarding retirement benefits and pensions for Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) employees.
**Land Resources and Marketing**
* **Digital Records:** Positive progress was reported regarding the digitization of land records across the state.
* **Export Promotion:** Partnerships with APEDA and the National Organic Cooperative Limited are being established to promote the international marketing and export of Assam’s organic products.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tea Garden Workers**
**Impact**
They have gained formal land ownership rights (Patta) and are now eligible for central housing benefits.
**Action Required**
Eligible individuals must ensure their names are recorded during the upcoming special digital survey window.
**Women Farmers and Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
Increased access to agricultural machinery (power weeders) and institutional support for small businesses through the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative.
**Action Required**
Engage with incubators at Assam Agricultural University (AAU) to further develop and strengthen their enterprises.
**Assam State Government**
**Impact**
The state will receive full financial support for central schemes and a specialized roadmap for agricultural growth via the new Action Plan.
**Action Required**
The government must implement the new Agriculture Action Plan and manage the transition from MNREGA to the Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission starting July 1st.
**Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Employees**
**Impact**
Pending issues related to their pensions and retirement benefits are being addressed at the ministerial level.
**Action Required**
Monitor the resolution of pending administrative cases as discussed in the high-level meeting.
Key Entities Referenced
Assam: The primary state for which funds, agricultural infrastructure, and rural development schemes were reviewed and allocated.
Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission (Rural): A new national mission announced to replace MGNREGA across the country starting July 1st.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G): A central housing scheme for which a special digital survey window will be opened to include eligible tea garden workers in Assam.
MGNREGA: The rural employment guarantee scheme for which specific funds were allocated to Assam and which is transitioning to a new mission.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): A central scheme used to fund agricultural infrastructure in Assam, including Pesticide and Edible Oil Testing Labs.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
There will be no shortage of funds for agriculture
and rural development in Assam: Shri Shivraj
Singh Chouhan
Funds allocated under MNREGA, special survey window for
PMAY-G to be opened
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets Assam
Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi
प्रव तथ: 02 JUN 2026 9:04PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
met Assam Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi today to discuss
subjects related to the State. In this high level meeting, the progress of various central schemes run by the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Assam was reviewed and wide-ranging discussions
were held on several important issues.In the meeting, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that under the guidance of Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi, there will be no shortage of funds and resources for agriculture and rural
development in Assam. He assured full support to the State in ensuring maximum benefits of Agriculture
Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G), MGNREGA and other
Central schemes.
Speaking on the agenda of the Ministry of Rural Development, Secretary Shri Rohit Kansal informed that
the technical bottlenecks in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and MNREGA systems
have been completely resolved. Funds have been allocated under MNREGA as per the Assam
government's demand. He also informed that the Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission (Rural)
will replace MNREGA across the country from July 1st.
The meeting lauded the Assam government's historic move to grant land ownership rights (Patta) to tea
garden workers. The Union Minister announced that the central government will open a special survey
window to digitally record the names of eligible beneficiaries so that these workers receive the benefits of
the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Chouhan handed over the draft of Agriculture Action Plan, prepared
on the basis of the specific climatic and soil characteristics of Assam, to Chief Minister Shri Sarma.
Several important decisions related to agriculture and rural development were agreed upon during the
meeting.Rural Development Ministry officials informed that Assam has achieved a remarkable progress towards
women empowerment by creating over 9 lakh 'Lakhpati Didis', exceeding the target. Work will be
accelerated in collaboration with incubators at Assam Agricultural University (AAU) to further strengthen
these women's enterprises.
To strengthen the agriculture sector, the Central Government informed about the projects and funds
approved in Assam under the Agricultural Mechanization and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Shri Atish Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, apprised the Chief Minister of efforts being made
to provide agricultural power weeders to women farmers. The expansion of the National Mission on
Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was also discussed.
To promote safe farming in the state, 1,500 new bamboo polyhouses have been approved this year. To
strengthen agricultural infrastructure, buildings for a Pesticide Testing Lab and an Edible Oil Testing Lab
have been approved under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Partnerships are being established
with APEDA and the National Organic Cooperative Limited to promote international marketing and
export of Assam's organic products, providing extensive handholding support to farmers.Elaborate discussions on promotion of rich bio-diversity of Assam were also held in the meeting. Dr. M.L.
Jat, Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR informed that the existing centres of Assam Agricultural
University will be further strengthened. Under this, All India Coordinated Research Programme for Spices
and Network Programme for Development of State Flower 'Foxtail Orchid "will be conducted in
collaboration with Institute of Floriculture, Pune. Resolution of pending cases related to retirement
benefits and pension of employees of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) was also discussed.
Shri Narendra Bhushan, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, informed that positive progress is
being made towards digitization of land records in Assam.
Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude to Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan for the support being provided by the Central Government for giving impetus to agriculture and
rural development in the State.
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इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: ही , Gujarati