In a bid to develop rural areas of Gujarat, the state government launched ‘Vatan Prem Yojana’ in 2021. Former chief minister Vijay Rupani has launched this scheme with a 40% contribution from the state government and a 60% contribution from non-resident Gujaratis and non-resident Indians.

However, the implementation of this scheme has failed as no donor has come in the last three years, as was officially answered by the chief minister (panchayat department) himself in the Assembly. 

Amit Chavda, leader of the Congress legislative party in the Gujarat assembly, has asked the unstarred question to the chief minister, who is holding a portfolio panchayat. He asked for information about the Vatan Prem Yojana and the donations received in the last three years in various districts of the state.

He additionally asked the question about how many foreign donations were received in which district in which year, if any, in the last three years, how many foreign donations were given in which district in which year, and also the reason behind the failure of implementation in Gujarat.

In the answer given by the department of panchayat (chief minister’s portfolio), it stated that there is no foreign donation received under the same.

What is Vatan Prem Yojana?

The Gujarat government has launched this scheme to accept donations to develop primary schools, health centres, libraries, lakes, community halls, Anganwadi, CCTV camera installations, state bus stands, solar street lights, etc. in the villages of Gujarat.

Launching the scheme, former chief minister Vijay Rupani said, “Contribution to the development of the motherland will be a prime example of patriotism. On the Vatan Prem Yojana, PM Modi said “Janni Janmabhoomi Swargadipi Garisi,” which means this is a great opportunity to serve the motherland.

The first meeting of the governing body of the Vatan Prem Yojana Society was held in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of former chief minister Vijay Rupani. At that time, he said, “Under Vatan Prem Yojana, works worth ₹1,000 cr works in the villages of the state and providing facilities to the people will be done by December 2022 in the villages of the state and providing facilities to the people.”

A government official in the panchayat department unofficially said that due to the lengthy process and selected works under Vatan Prem Yojana, donors are not interested in it.

He said there are a number of villages in the state where foreign donors have donated to their motherlands without taking government funds. 

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