“Rs 1.88 Lakh Crore Allocated to Rural Development Ministry in Union Budget 2025”
The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated Rs 1.88 lakh crore to the Ministry of Rural Development, marking a 5.75 percent increase over the previous year’s allocation of Rs 1.77 lakh crore. The allocation, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, highlights the government’s continued focus on rural development and economic growth in rural areas.
The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated Rs 1.88 lakh crore to the Ministry of Rural Development, marking a 5.75 percent increase over the previous year’s allocation of Rs 1.77 lakh crore. The allocation, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, highlights the government’s continued focus on rural development and economic growth in rural areas.
The Rural Development Ministry’s allocation for 2025-26 is Rs 1,88,000 crore, up from Rs 1,77,566.19 crore in the 2024-25 Budget. However, the revised estimate for 2024-25 stood at Rs 1,73,912.11 crore, indicating a reduction of Rs 3,654.08 crore from the initial allocation.
A significant portion of the allocation is dedicated to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which has been allocated Rs 86,000 crore, the same amount as the previous year. The scheme, which guarantees 100 days of wage employment for rural households, was a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of migrant workers returned to rural areas. In 2023-24, the scheme saw a total expenditure of Rs 89,153.71 crore, surpassing its initial allocation of Rs 60,000 crore. Despite this, no additional funds were allocated for MGNREGS in the 2024-25 budget.
In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Sitharaman also announced the launch of a comprehensive “Rural Prosperity and Resilience” programme in partnership with state governments. The programme aims to address underemployment in agriculture by focusing on skill development, investment, and technology, with an emphasis on invigorating the rural economy. The initiative aims to generate ample opportunities in rural areas so that migration becomes a choice rather than a necessity. The programme will target rural women, young farmers, youth, marginal and small farmers, and landless families.
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the Budget, calling it a step towards creating an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India). He highlighted the government’s commitment to creating poverty-free villages as a means to achieve a poverty-free India. Chouhan emphasized that the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme will bring together rural women, youth, farmers, and landless laborers, along with state governments, to combat poverty in rural India.
Among the key schemes, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been allocated Rs 19,000 crore, a 58 percent increase from the previous year’s allocation of Rs 12,000 crore. This allocation is also 31 percent higher than the revised estimate of Rs 14,500 crore for the last fiscal year. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), aimed at providing housing for rural families, has been allocated Rs 54,832 crore, nearly the same amount as the last year’s budget allocation of Rs 54,500 crore. The revised estimate for PMAY-G stood at Rs 32,426 crore, reflecting the actual spending by the ministry.
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which focuses on enhancing the livelihood opportunities of rural women and communities, has been allocated Rs 19,005 crore, a 26 percent increase over last year’s allocation of Rs 15,047 crore.
This year’s budget marks a continued effort by the government to uplift rural India, improve infrastructure, and address critical issues like unemployment and poverty. Through these initiatives, the government aims to strengthen the rural economy and create long-term, sustainable development opportunities for rural communities across India.
Sources By Agencies
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