Niti Aayog’s efforts to ensure institutional capital to lessee cultivators is a welcome move towards creating efficient lease markets and increased arable land. The move on MSP and the increase in the agriculture credit to ₹11 lakh crore will hopefully address the issues of farm income and create liquidity in the rural markets. Another area of focus in the Union Budget is the MSME sector. Reduction of the corporate tax rates and increased credit support are expected to boost employment and profitability in the sector. Substantial allocations have been made towards affordable housing (₹27,500 crore), PM Rural Road Plan (₹19,000 crore), National Education Mission (₹32,600 crore) and Swachh Bharat (₹17,800 crore).

Source: The Hindu February 01, 2018 15:56 UTC