The Union Budget 2025-26 brings a significant package for rural India, allocating Rs. 1,88,754.53 crore to drive comprehensive development across 6.65 lakh villages, supporting 2.68 lakh Gram Panchayats and Rural Local Bodies as per a press release issued by the Ministry of Rural Development. This budget emphasises boosting employment, women empowerment, education, and infrastructure in rural areas, reflecting the government’s vision for a stronger, self-reliant rural economy.
Key initiatives include the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028, with a focus on achieving 100% rural water supply coverage and enhancing infrastructure maintenance. Broadband connectivity is set to expand under the Bharatnet Project, providing internet access to all rural government secondary schools and primary health centres. India Post will play a pivotal role in rural economic growth through its extensive network, offering micro-enterprise credit, digital services, and public logistics support for entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and self-help groups.
The government has also announced the launch of the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program, targeting under-employment in agriculture and promoting skill development, technology adoption, and investments to rejuvenate rural economies. This program empowers rural women, young farmers, marginalized communities, and landless families.
Significant improvements have already been observed in rural India, including a drop in the multidimensional poverty rate from 24.85% to 14.96%, and an increase in rural internet users, now at 398.35 million. Rural wages have shown steady growth, with agriculture wages up by 5.7% for men and 7% for women, while non-agricultural wages have grown by 5.5% for men and 7.9% for women.
Also, the budget highlights major rural schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which has provided all-weather roads to rural areas, and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), which has delivered housing to economically weaker sections. The Mission Amrit Sarovar has rejuvenated over 68,843 ponds to ensure water conservation, while the National Rural Health Mission continues to offer quality healthcare to rural populations.
The Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully provided 12.2 crore rural households with tap water connections, and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is in its second phase, working to maintain open defecation-free status and manage waste in rural areas.
With the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, PM-JANMAN, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, and Gram Nyayalayas Act also contributing to rural upliftment, the government is determined to achieve its vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) continues to secure rural livelihoods with an allocation of Rs. 86,000 crore in FY 2024-25.
from National https://ift.tt/JMx7XYU