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Social projects to hike budget by $20 B
By agencies
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Monday, 21 November 2005, 20:30 IST
NEW DELHI: The mega social sector projects announced by Government could push up the Center's budget outlay by $20.9 billion during 2006-07.
Government sources said the schemes that are in the priority list include Bharat Nirman (Building India) for rural infrastructure, Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for all), National Rural Health Mission, Mid Day Meal Scheme, railways and agriculture.
According to Planning Commission estimates, $4.5 billion has been allocated for Bharat Nirman, followed by development program for road transport and highways and railways.
The steepest rise in allocation may be for Food for Work program at$2.45 billion.
Food for Work has already been launched in in 150 backward districts and will be merged with the Employment Guarantee Scheme once it is launched, the planning commission said.
A massive increase of almost $4.54 billion has been sought for the ambitious Bharat Nirman project to provide access to drinking water, roads and electrification in rural areas.