Kumar Bahukhandi
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma participates in the National Rural Development Conference in New Delhi, where Chhattisgarh’s Material Bank model received national recognition.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Praises State’s Material Bank Initiative; Deputy CM Vijay Sharma Represents Chhattisgarh
Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s innovative approach to rural housing has earned national acclaim, with the state’s Material Bank model emerging as one of the highlights of the two-day National Rural Development Conference held in New Delhi on June 29, 2026 .
Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, lauded the initiative as a practical and scalable innovation that is helping accelerate the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), particularly in remote and rural areas.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan commends Chhattisgarh’s innovative ‘Dealer Didi’ Material Bank model for accelerating rural housing under PMAY-G.
Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma represented Chhattisgarh at the national conference, where the state’s achievements in rural development and livelihood generation were widely appreciated.
The Material Bank model has introduced a unique system in which women associated with Self-Help Groups function as “Dealer Didis.” These women ensure the availability of essential construction materials at a single location, enabling PMAY-G beneficiaries to procure supplies conveniently without travelling long distances. The initiative has significantly reduced construction delays, lowered transportation costs, and made the process of building rural homes faster and more efficient.
Beyond improving housing delivery, the model has also emerged as a powerful livelihood initiative. More than 10,000 women involved in the programme are steadily progressing towards becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis’, strengthening financial independence and enhancing the role of women in rural entrepreneurship.
During the conference, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also praised Chhattisgarh’s effective implementation of the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) and the Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana. He noted that the state recorded the highest number of mason trainees in the country through RSETIs during the last financial year, highlighting its strong emphasis on skill development and employment generation.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said the national recognition reflects the state’s commitment to delivering innovative and people-centric rural development programmes under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. He said the government’s focus remains on ensuring that welfare schemes not only reach beneficiaries efficiently but also create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
The recognition of Chhattisgarh’s Material Bank model at the national level underscores the state’s growing reputation as a hub of rural innovation, where women-led initiatives, skill development, and efficient implementation of flagship schemes are driving inclusive growth and transforming lives across villages.
