Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Schemes Under the Dravidian Model Government Led by the CM M.K. Stalin – Guiding the Nation Forward

In line with the visionary Dravidian Model, the Tamil Nadu Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin has launched and implemented a wide range of schemes aimed at uplifting rural infrastructure, housing, sanitation, and employment. These progressive schemes serve as a model for other Indian states and reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable rural development.

Key Allocations and Initiatives:

• ₹8,000 crore for the improvement of 20,000 km of rural roads under the MGSMT Scheme.
• ₹7,000 crore allocated for 2 lakh houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme to eliminate hut dwellings by 2030.
• ₹1,041 crore for renovating 1.49 lakh rural houses built before 2000-01 under various government schemes.
• ₹600 crore for reconstructing 25,000 fully damaged houses constructed before 2000-01.
• ₹1,182 crore for construction of 505 km of roads and 308 bridges.
• ₹578.22 crore for the construction of 119 Panchayat Union Office buildings.
• ₹419.27 crore for 7,429 houses for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
• ₹261 crore for renovation of 238 Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapurams.
• ₹500 crore for rejuvenation of 5,000 Minor Irrigation Tanks with public participation.
• ₹176 crore for renovation of 7,924 rural libraries.
• ₹168.14 crore for repairing and rebuilding 4,648 houses damaged by floods and cyclones.
• ₹99 crore special grant for Panchayats in urban-bordering and hilly areas.
• ₹50 crore allocated for construction of 8 new Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapurams.

Employment and Empowerment:

Through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Tamil Nadu has provided employment to an average of 77.37 lakh workers from 66.91 lakh families between 2021 and 2025. The state ranked 1st in 2023-24 and continues to lead in generating person-days. Tamil Nadu has also ranked top in providing employment to differently abled individuals and women workers, ensuring wage disbursal within 15 days consistently.

Infrastructure and Local Governance:

The financial administrative limits of local self-governing bodies have been increased to accelerate development:

• Village Panchayats: ₹5 lakh (up from ₹2 lakh)
• Block Panchayats: ₹20 lakh (up from ₹10 lakh)
• District Panchayats: ₹50 lakh (up from ₹20 lakh)

A special grant of ₹69 crore has been allocated to 690 Panchayats near urban areas and ₹30 crore for 278 hilly Panchayats to enhance basic amenities. 600 Village Secretariats have also been constructed and are fully operational.

Housing Initiatives:

Under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam, each beneficiary receives ₹3.5 lakh to construct a concrete house. 72,081 houses have already been completed with ongoing construction for the remaining units. Under the Repairs to Rural Houses (RRH) scheme, 1.03 lakh houses have been renovated with ₹1,041 crore allocated in FY 2024-25.

The Mudhalamaicharin Veedugal Marukattumana Thittam (MVMT) aims to reconstruct dilapidated houses built prior to 2000-01. As of now, 15,485 houses have been sanctioned under this scheme.

Rural Connectivity:

• PMGSY: ₹3,061 crore for 4,182 km of roads and 83 bridges.
• NABARD: ₹1,182 crore for 505 km of roads and 308 bridges.
• Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Development Scheme: ₹627 crore for 1,990 km of roads.
• Urban Border Panchayats: ₹267 crore for 678.62 km of road works.
• High-Level Bridges: ₹177.85 crore for 34 bridges in 18 districts.

Samathuvapurams:

238 Samathuvapurams originally envisioned by Kalaignar Karunanidhi have been renovated under the leadership of the Hon’ble CM with ₹261.17 crore. An additional 8 new Samathuvapurams are under construction at a cost of ₹50 crore.

Disaster Relief Housing:

Following the 2023 floods, ₹168.14 crore was sanctioned to rebuild and repair 4,648 houses in seven severely affected districts. Over 4,159 houses have been completed.

Tribal and Refugee Housing:

• PMAY-G: 3,53,141 houses completed since May 2021.
• PMJANMAN: 11,875 houses for PVTGs; 2,751 completed.
• Refugee Housing: ₹419.27 crore for 7,429 houses; 4,478 completed.
• Tribal Housing: ₹176.46 crore for 3,881 houses; 3,599 completed.

Community Development:

• Namakku Naame Thittam (NNT): 6,507 of 6,567 planned works completed at ₹642.42 crore.
• MLACDS: 34,068 works completed with a budget of ₹2,299.56 crore.
• MPLADS: 8,510 works completed with a budget of ₹685.99 crore.

Sanitation and Drinking Water:

• 3.38 lakh Individual Household Latrines constructed.
• 2,123 Community Sanitary Complexes at ₹127.05 crore.
• 6,684 Mini Community Sanitary Complexes at ₹195.43 crore.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: 1.11 crore households provided with drinking water pipeline connections. Additional 13.8 lakh households to be connected.

National Recognition:

Tamil Nadu was awarded Third Rank in the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021-22 by the Hon’ble President of India in the “Overall Top States” category (large states).

Since assuming office in 2021, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin has ensured that rural areas in Tamil Nadu are developed on par with urban regions through holistic, inclusive, and people-centric governance. The achievements in sanitation, housing, employment, roads, and drinking water connections underscore Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a beacon for rural transformation in India.

Issued by: Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Secretariat, Chennai – 9