Cut in funds for rural growth

New Delhi, February 1

Contrary to frequent assertions of functionaries of the Union Government for the progress of rural India, the Budget 2020-21 proposed a reduced allocation in comparison with the provision made for 2019-20 with regard to the Ministry of Rural Development.

The allocation is Rs 1,20,147 crore, marking a reduction by Rs 2,502 crore.

The allocation for the flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, among others, has been reduced from Rs 71,001 crore to Rs 61,500 crore. On the other hand the allocation for the PMGSY programme component has been increased to Rs 14,979 crore.

Also, the allocation has been increased from Rs 18,475 crore to Rs 19,500 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Rural. The fund has been increased for Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission from Rs 300 crore to Rs 600 crore.

The allocation for the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry is about Rs 2,251 crore, an increase by Rs 251 crore in the Budget.

Funds for Digital India-Land Records Modernisation Program has been increased from Rs 50 crore to Rs 238 crore. — TNS