The soul of India lives in villages. The imagination of the country's progress without radical changes in the rural economy is unfounded. Due to the untiring efforts of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and the State Government, certain development programs are conducted for the eradication of rural poverty. In addition to the programs funded by the Government of India in the state of Uttarakhand, the State Government has also launched several innovative public welfare programs for its poverty alleviation. The programs run by the Rural Development Department for rural economy and infrastructure development are mainly self-employment programs, employment programs, rural housing programs, rural connectivity as well as area development programs.

The state government is also not behind in the implementation of rural welfare programs. Under the innovative initiative taken by the state government, Deendayal Uttarakhand Rural Housing Scheme is being implemented from the state financial resources in the field of rural housing. Till the 12th Five Year Plan, the State Government is committed to make residential facilities to all poor housing persons, local employment to every unemployed and self-employment to every family.

In the implementation of poverty alleviation programs, the state has an active role in the selection, planning, implementation and maintenance of various welfare schemes of the three-tier panchayats - Gram Panchayat, Kshetra Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat. Efforts are continuing to make self-reliance by delegating rights to three-tier panchayats as well as by providing them with vigorous training for awareness of duties.