Patna, Aug 18: The Bihar government, in collaboration with NABARD, plans to develop 725 modern rural haat markets across the state to strengthen the rural economy, expand market access for local products and create better livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Rural Development and Information and Public Relations Minister Shravan Kumar on Monday. Kumar directed officials to review the identified sites and initiate construction at the earliest.
The proposed haats will provide rural traders and producers with more direct access to consumers. Special shops and facilities will also be made available to Jeevika Self-Help Group women, enabling them to sell products made in villages directly to customers and reduce dependence on middlemen.
To maintain uniformity and quality, the government has approved three models for the rural haats, covering 20 decimals, 50 decimals and one acre respectively.
In the first phase, with financial participation from NABARD, one rural haat measuring 20-49 decimals is proposed in each district. Seven districts — Araria, Banka, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Madhepura, Supaul and Samastipur — have already submitted proposals for haats exceeding 20 decimals.
The remaining districts have been asked to prepare and submit their proposals to NABARD at the earliest. A dedicated digital sheet has also been created to collect information on proposed sites.
The maximum central allocation currently proposed for each rural haat is ₹40 lakh. However, Bihar has approached the Union Ministry of Rural Development seeking an increase in the allocation in view of rising construction costs.
The initiative is aimed at the economic empowerment of rural and disadvantaged communities, with provisions covering hilly areas, Scheduled Tribes and goat-rearing and milch-goat promotion.
NABARD Chief General Manager Gautam Kumar Singh assured the state government of the institution’s support in strengthening Bihar’s rural economy.
Singh said NABARD would provide “all possible technical, financial, and institutional support” in areas including livelihoods, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and infrastructure development.
The rural haat programme is expected to strengthen local trade by creating organised marketplaces where rural producers can directly connect with consumers, while also providing a stronger platform for women-led self-help groups to expand their businesses.
