The Patna visit of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan concluded today with multifaceted programmes during which the achievements of the Central Government in the last 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi were strongly highlighted through cleanliness, development, agricultural reforms and public outreach. Throughout the day-long programmes, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan not only gave a positive message of taking the Centre’s policies to the ground but also highlighted the coordination and development speed of the double engine government in Bihar. This visit demonstrated the government’s commitment to rural and agricultural progress.

The programmes began with a cleanliness campaign organised at the historic Golghar complex in Patna, where Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated along with Bihar Agriculture Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, senior officials and workers and prominently highlighted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s role in making cleanliness a mass movement. He said that after 2014, the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ has written a new chapter of behavioural change in the country, and ‘Swachhata Paramo Dharma’ is not just a slogan but a citizen’s duty that every person must follow in daily life.

After this, Union Minister Shri Chouhan met Bihar Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary at Lok Sevak Awas and reviewed agriculture, farmer welfare and rural development schemes. At the meeting, emphasis was laid on increasing farmers’ income through better coordination between the Centre and the state, effective implementation of schemes and strengthening rural infrastructure for long-term benefits.

By participating in the tree plantation programme at the MLA Flats complex in Patna, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan linked environment protection with public participation and gave the message of ‘Service to Earth’. Later, under the ‘Pragati Path Yatra’, he inspected Atal Path and other development projects and reviewed the rapid progress in roads, basic infrastructure and health sectors so that development reaches every corner.

While observing the newly constructed ultra-modern building of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), he described the changes taking place in Bihar’s health infrastructure as a ‘new identity’. During the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sammelan’ held at Vidyapati Bhavan, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented in detail the achievements of the last 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that unprecedented transformation has taken place in the country from basic infrastructure to self-reliance – nearly 100 per cent railway electrification, expansion of Vande Bharat trains and modern infrastructure are presenting a new picture of India. Along with this, the symbolic steps towards freedom from colonial mindset were also linked with national pride and self-respect.

During the press conference, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while paying tribute to Bihar’s historical and cultural heritage, said that this is the “sacred land of knowledge, penance and sacrifice”. Referring to the achievements of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said that in the last 12 years more than 4 crore people have received pucca houses, 3 crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and the country’s foodgrain production has increased by 71 per cent to reach record levels. He described schemes like the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana and PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) as transformative in the lives of farmers and crucial for their welfare.

In the final phase of the visit, direct dialogue with farmers was held in Naubatpur through the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed on increasing awareness regarding balanced use of chemical fertilisers, soil testing, Kisan Credit Card and benefits of government schemes. He made it clear that the Central Government’s priority is “prosperous farmers, empowered villages and self-reliant India” and this vision is being implemented effectively.

Throughout the programme, the message that emerged prominently was that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the policies of the Central Government are no longer limited to announcements but are being effectively implemented on the ground with the cooperation of states and Bihar is emerging as an important centre of this transformation. This visit reinforced the government’s dedication to the development and welfare of the people.

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RC/MS/MK