Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that in 2018-19 there will be a push on rural livelihood and infrastructure and the government proposes to spend Rs 14.34 lakh crore, including extra-budgetary and non-budgetary resources of Rs 11.98 lakh crore.
Ahead of the General Elections next summer, the government renewed its focus on rural India and announced major allocations in rural infrastructure sector. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that in 2018-19 there will be a push on rural livelihood and infrastructure and the government proposes to spend Rs 14.34 lakh crore, including extra-budgetary and non-budgetary resources of Rs 11.98 lakh crore. While this also includes allocations in the farm sector for creation and expansion of agricultural markets, the thrust will also be on rural housing, health, roads, electricity and internet connectivity.
"This year's Budget...will focus on strengthening of agriculture and rural economy, provision of good health care to economically less privileged, taking care of senior citizens, infrastructure creation, and working with the states to provide more resources for improving the quality of education in the country," the Finance Minister said.
Jaitley added that apart from employment due to farming activities and self employment, the expenditure of Rs 14.34 lakh crore will create employment of 321 crore person days, 3.17 lakh kilometres of rural roads, 51 lakh new rural houses, 1.88 crore toilets, and provide 1.75 crore new household electric connections.
As part of the rural internet connectivity plans, the government has proposed to setup five lakh WiFi hotspots to provide broadband access to five crore rural citizens. The Budget has also provided Rs 10,000 crore in 2018-19 for creation and expansion of telecom network.
The Ministry of Rural Development's budgetary allocation has been increased by Rs 6,956.04 crore to a total of Rs 1,12,403.92 crore for 2018-19 financial year.
The allocation for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has been decreased by Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore. But, Rs 12,000 crore extra budgetary resources will be pumped into the scheme. The government proposes to build 49 lakh houses and provide 46.55 crore mandays.
Among the central schemes, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) have been allocated the same amount of fund as last year— Rs 19,000 crore and Rs 55,000 crore.
Workers' rights group NREGA Sangharsh Morcha has criticised the absence of any increase in funds for MGNREG scheme. It also criticised state governments for delaying payments by holding up compliance.
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