What is Rural Development?
Rural Development refers to the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas. It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at social, economic, and environmental upliftment of rural communities.
Historical Background
Post-independence, India initiated various programs for rural development, starting with the Community Development Programme (1952). Subsequent Five-Year Plans consistently focused on poverty alleviation, employment generation, and infrastructure development in rural areas. Key initiatives include IRDP (1978), Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (1989), and later, schemes like MGNREGA and PMGSY.