Which State government launched the Smart Village Programme with the aim of improving public facilities, basic amenities and infrastructure in rural villages?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks awareness of recent governance initiatives and flagship schemes launched by State governments in India. The Smart Village idea focuses on improving quality of life in rural areas by providing better infrastructure, connectivity and services. Examinations often ask which State started a particular named programme, so it is useful to connect the scheme name with the correct State government and leadership.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme is called the Smart Village Programme.
• It is a State government initiative, not a private project.
• The goal is to improve public facilities in villages.
• We must identify which State government launched it.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall the political and administrative context in which the Smart Village idea was highlighted. In India, states like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have often branded development programmes with terms like smart village and smart city. However, the specific Smart Village Programme mentioned in many exam oriented sources is associated with the Gujarat government, which aimed to transform selected villages through convergence of various schemes and community participation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall major State level initiatives that used the phrase smart village in their official titles. Step 2: Connect the Smart Village Programme with Gujarat, where the government launched a formal programme to convert villages into smart entities by strengthening amenities such as sanitation, health, education, roads and digital connectivity. Step 3: Cross check with memory of news and policy notes that often mention Gujarat as an early mover in smart village and smart city campaigns. Step 4: Eliminate other States in the options that are better known for different flagship rural schemes, not specifically the Smart Village Programme with this branding.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you are unsure, you can use a simple cross reference trick. Many practice questions and online quizzes directly pair the phrase Smart Village Programme with Gujarat. The scheme is listed among important initiatives of the Gujarat government to improve village level infrastructure. Remember that individual districts and other States might also run projects related to smart villages, but the exam reference is to the named State government programme most commonly cited, which is from Gujarat.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Maharashtra: Although Maharashtra has many rural development schemes, the main branded Smart Village Programme referred to in standard GK questions is linked to Gujarat, not Maharashtra.
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan focuses on schemes like Bhamashah and rural employment programmes, but it is not the main State cited for launching the specific Smart Village Programme.
• Odisha: Odisha runs several welfare and rural schemes, yet the phrase Smart Village Programme in exam books usually does not refer to Odisha initiatives.
• Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh has promoted the idea of smart villages in various contexts and pilots, but the commonly tested Smart Village Programme in this question is attributed to the Gujarat government.

Common Pitfalls:
The main confusion comes from the fact that more than one State may talk about smart villages in policy speeches or pilot projects. Students sometimes over generalise news about smart agriculture or smart village movements in other regions and wrongly attribute the programme. To avoid this, tie the exact phrase Smart Village Programme in capital letters to Gujarat in your notes. Another pitfall is confusing it with central government campaigns, but here the stem clearly says State government, which is an important clue.

Final Answer:
The Smart Village Programme to improve public facilities in villages was launched by the Government of Gujarat.