Lok Sabha Question No. 5141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Transformation of Rural Areas into Smart Villages
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## 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-

Rickshaw, 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 DAYNRLM, 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.

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