New Delhi, February 03, 2018: The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, while announcing the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament today announced important measures to give a boost to livelihoods in rural areas of the country. “As my proposals outlined indicate, focus of the Government next year will be on providing maximum livelihood opportunities in the rural areas by spending more on livelihood, agriculture and allied activities and construction of rural infrastructure”, the Minister said.
Shri 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.
