Deputy CM Vijay Sharma represents the state at national conference; Chhattisgarh’s skill development and RSETI initiatives also receive appreciation
Raipur, June 29: Chhattisgarh’s innovative ‘Material Bank Model’, developed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), has earned national recognition at the two-day National Rural Development Conference held in New Delhi. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the initiative as an effective innovation that is accelerating rural housing construction while empowering women and strengthening livelihoods.
Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma represented Chhattisgarh at the conference, where the state’s rural development initiatives were showcased before policymakers and officials from across the country.
The Material Bank Model operates through women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), popularly known as ‘Dealer Didis’, who supply construction materials from a single point to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) in remote villages. The initiative has simplified the construction process, reduced costs, and ensured timely availability of materials, significantly speeding up the completion of rural housing projects.
The model has also emerged as a successful women empowerment initiative, with more than 10,000 SHG womenmoving towards becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis’ by generating sustainable income through the programme. The initiative was highlighted at the conference as a best practice in rural housing, livelihood generation, and community-led development.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan commended Chhattisgarh for introducing innovative solutions and ensuring effective implementation of rural development schemes. He also appreciated the state’s performance under the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, which are helping rural youth acquire skills, pursue self-employment, and secure sustainable livelihoods.
He noted that Chhattisgarh conducted the highest number of mason training programmes in the country through RSETIs during the last financial year, describing the achievement as an example for other states to emulate.
Speaking after the conference, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said the recognition reflects the Chhattisgarh government’s sustained focus on rural development, skill enhancement, self-employment, and improving basic amenities for economically weaker families under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
He said the national appreciation would further motivate the state to continue implementing innovative, people-centric programmes that strengthen rural infrastructure, generate employment, and improve the quality of life in villages across Chhattisgarh.
