New Delhi, 22/11: The Centre will likely raise its allocation to the rural development ministry by 18 per cent to Rs 1.60 lakh crore ($14.19 billion) for the current fiscal year, partly to bolster its job scheme, a top government source told Reuters.
India had allocated Rs 1.36 lakh crore for 2022/23 for various schemes in the hinterland, but the stress in rural areas has led to increased demand for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, or MNREGA, the country’s only minimum job guarantee scheme, which pays Rs 163 to Rs 245 a day.
The additional funds will be used to bulk up job and affordable housing schemes in the fiscal year ending March 2023, said the official, who did not want to be named as the information is yet to be made public.