Irrigating agriculture: Ranjana Kumar

The Budget is pro-agriculture and rural development. It recognises that given the fall in growth in agriculture it is necessary to increase investments in the sector.

Nabard has been vested with the responsibility of monitoring the credit disbursement by banks. The government had identified 170 backward districts for development.

An amount of Rs.5,000 crore has been provided for this purpose as 'Backward Regions Grant Fund' and the same will be continued to be provided during the next four years also. Rural Infrastructure is being addressed to ensure integrated rural development.

This scheme is to be implemented in four years. Nabard will play a significant role in implementing the package.