#Budget2018: Rs 14.34 Lakh Crore allocates to empower rural lives

New Delhi, January 1: Rural Development has always been top on agenda of the Modi government. Presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today announced important measures to give a boost to livelihoods in rural areas of the country.

Jaitley informed that in 2018-19, for creation of livelihood and infrastructure in rural areas, total amount to be spent by various Ministries will be Rs.14.34 lakh crore, including extra-budgetary and non-budgetary resources of Rs.11.98 lakh crore.

Apart from employment due to farming activities and self-employment, this expenditure will create employment of 321 crore person days, 3.17 lakh kilometers of rural roads, 51 lakh new rural houses, 1.88 crore toilets, and provide 1.75 crore new household electric connections besides boosting agricultural growth.

Further, the Government substantially increased the allocation of National Rural Livelihood Mission to Rs. 5750 crore in 2018-19. Jaitley said that loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women increased to about Rs. 42,500 crore in 2016-17, growing 37% over previous year. The Government is confident that loans to SHGs will increase to Rs.75,000 crore by March, 2019, the Minister added.

Strengthening the Ground water irrigation scheme under Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojna - Har Khet ko Pani the Government allocated Rs 2600 crore for this purpose. This would provide assured irrigation in 96 deprived irrigation districts where less than 30% of the land holdings get that presently, the Minister said.

Rs 16,000 crores to be spent on providing electricity connection to 4 crore poor households. 1 cr houses to be built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in rural areas. Govt to provide free LPG connection to 8 crore women under Ujjwala scheme, up from earlier target of 5 crore.

“India’s agri exports potential is as high as USD 100 billion against a current export of USD 30 billion. To realise this potential, export of agri commodities will be liberalised,” Jaitley said. Rs 2,000 crore fund to be set up for upgrading rural agriculture markets. Government will ensure farmers get MSP if prices fall.