Union Budget 2018: Rs 14.34 lakh crore set for rural infrastructure, jobs

New Delhi: On expected lines, the Union Budget kept its focus on rural spending in view of upcoming state polls and the general election next year. The government has proposed to spend Rs 14.34 lakh crore in the year 2018-19 to generate employment of 321 crore person days and construct infrastructure in rural areas.

Besides generating employment, this investment will lead to construction of 3.17 lakh km of roads, 51 lakh new houses, 1.88 crore toilets, and will provide electricity connections to 1.75 crore new households, finance minister Arun Jaitley said in his Budget speech.

More funds directed at rural areas means improved livelihood for a majority of the population and increase in their disposable income.

While making the proposals in the Budget, Mr Jaitley said that the government was guided by its mission to strengthen agriculture and ruraldevelopment besides other sectors of the country's economy.

He also announced an increase in allocation for the National Rural Livelihood Mission to Rs 5,750 crore in 2018-19 from Rs 4,500 crore. Further, loans to women Self Help Groups increased to about Rs 42,500 crore in 2016-17.