Budget mantra: Rural outlay may go up 23% to reduce pains of demonetisation

The Budget may also introduce a new scheme to pull the poor in the rural areas out of poverty.

The Union Budget is expected to increase allocation to the ministry of rural development by over 23 per cent to Rs 1.06 lakh crore. The allocation in the Budget estimates of 2016-17 was a little over Rs 86,000 crore.

The Budget, likely to be tabled in the first week of February, may also introduce a new scheme to pull the poor in the rural areas out of poverty.

The Budget’s focus on rural development could lessen the pains of demonetisation in villages.

According to senior officials, if things go according to plan, there could be a rise in allocations of