In a move to eradicate poverty from rural Rajasthan, the state government has launched the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme’ aimed at economically uplifting Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. In the first phase, 5,000 villages have been selected, with a budget allocation of ₹300 crore to support these families in becoming self-reliant.
The scheme is designed to transform the socio-economic fabric of rural communities by connecting families with livelihood opportunities, skill development programs, and financial inclusion initiatives. So far, 30,631 BPL families have been identified across 5,002 villages, with a complete physical survey conducted and data matched with the BPL Census 2002. A ‘Poverty-Free Village Action Plan’ is being drafted for each village to ensure targeted, data-driven intervention.
As a token of recognition, families that have successfully risen above the poverty line through their own efforts will receive an incentive of ₹21,000. During the ongoing Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight, 22,400 families are set to receive this amount via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Bank accounts of 17,891 families have already been verified. In addition, these families will be issued a ‘Self-Reliant Family Card’ as a symbol of achievement.
The scheme also offers up to ₹1 lakh in assistance for self-employment and livelihood-based initiatives, while women in self-help groups will be eligible for working capital support of ₹15,000 per family. Applications from 61,442 families have been received so far, connecting them to relevant state government schemes.
To incentivize effective implementation, top-performing districts will be awarded based on quarterly rankings: ₹50 lakh for first place, ₹35 lakh for second, and ₹25 lakh for third. In the second phase, another 5,002 villages have been selected, with 22,872 families already surveyed as part of the expansion effort.
This comprehensive initiative is being aligned with other government programs to ensure holistic rural development. With its focus on economic empowerment, self-reliance, and inclusive growth, the scheme represents a revolutionary shift in poverty alleviation efforts across Rajasthan.
