Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the central government to approve 11.56 lakh houses under PMAY-G 2.0 and include new livelihood projects in the Vaikunth Dham-Gramin (VB-G RAM G) scheme. The proposal aims to counter the impact of El Nino on farmer incomes by funding initiatives like vegetable sheds and silkworm units, while integrating housing construction with rural employment schemes.
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Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met with Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss enhanced financial and project support for rural development in the state. The state government is seeking to expand the scope of the Vaikunth Dham-Gramin (VB-G RAM G) scheme to better support agricultural communities that have faced climate-related challenges.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the negative effects of El Nino, which has caused unpredictable weather patterns and reduced productivity for many farmers. To address these issues, the state has proposed adding ten specific livelihood activities to the existing central scheme. These include the construction of vegetable cultivation sheds, the development of fodder plots for livestock, and the introduction of mulberry plantations and silkworm-rearing units. The state has also requested funding for land remediation and water conservation projects designed to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters.
A central focus of the proposal is the integration of the state’s 'Indiramma' housing initiative with federal rural employment programs. The Chief Minister suggested that by bringing these housing works under the VB-G RAM G framework, beneficiaries could secure up to 90 days of employment. This move is intended to provide a steady income source for rural laborers while accelerating the pace of home construction.
The state has specifically requested the allocation of 11.56 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) 2.0. According to the state government, there is a significant backlog in rural housing that resulted from a lack of focus by the previous administration. Approval of this request would require a large-scale deployment of central funds to meet the state's housing targets.
For investors and market participants, the primary monitorable will be the central government's response regarding the allocation of funds and the potential expansion of the VB-G RAM G scheme. If approved, these projects could increase demand for construction materials, agricultural inputs, and related infrastructure services in Telangana. Investors may track future updates from the Ministry of Rural Development regarding the sanctioning of these housing units and the inclusion of the proposed agricultural livelihood activities.