The Ministry of Rural Development, a branch of the Government of India, is entrusted with the task of accelerating the socio-economic development of rural India. Its focus is on special rural grants for health and education, piped filtered drinking water programs, public and affordable housing programs, public work programs and grants for rural roads and infrastructure. It also provides special grants to rural local bodies. On 7 July 2021, during the first cabinet reshuffle of the Second Modi ministry, Giriraj Singh replaced Narendra Singh Tomar as the Minister of Rural Development.