New Delhi: Unlike the speculation that the NDA government may do away with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the Union Budget presented by finance minister Arun Jaitely committed Rs 33,364 crores for the flagship scheme.
The Centre, made it clear that the scheme will be used for creating productive assets and lin-ked with agriculture for better use.
“The employment will be provided under MNREGS through works that are more productive, asset-creating and substantially lin-ked to agriculture and allied activities,” Mr Jaitely said.
The Budget also enhanced allocation for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna by allocating a sum of Rs 14,389 crores. It also extended the provision of bank loan for women self-help groups at 4 per cent in another 100 districts under Ajeevika, the National Rural Livelihood Mission, which was currently available in 150 districts. Mr Jaitley also unveiled a “Start-Up Village Entrep-reneurship Programme” for encouraging rural yo-uth to take up local entrepreneurship programmes.
