The government will spend Rs 14.34 lakh crore in the year 2018-19 to generate employment of 321 crore person days and construct infrastructure in rural areas, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. Jaitley also announced increase in allocation for the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to Rs 5,750 crore in 2018-19 from Rs 4,500 crore. The loans to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) increased to about Rs 42,500 crore in 2016-17. The government is confident that loans to SHGs will increase to Rs 75,000 crore by March next year, the finance minister said. ICICI Bank managing director Chanda Kochhar termed the Budget as a "responsible" one which balances the priorities, and also "holistic".

Source: dna February 01, 2018 14:48 UTC