Presenting the General Budget proposals for fiscal 2016-17 in Parliament today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a digital literacy scheme for rural India and in this regard set aside Rs. 1000 crore for higher education financing.
Jaitley also proposed the creation of a digital depository for school leaving certificates.
Jaitley announced Rs.221, 246 crores for the country's infrastructure.
Asserting that 85 percent of the stalled road projects are back on track, Jaitley said total allocation for the road sector, including the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) will be Rs.97,000 crores.
"Allocation of PMGSY to be increased to 19,000 Crore. Road transport in passenger segment to be opened up to private sector," said Jaitley.
The finance minister said the government has set for itself a target of completing 10,000 kilometers of National Highway and up gradation of 50,000 kilometers of State Highways in the year 2016-17.
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He also said that about 65 eligible habitats are to be connected via 2.23 lakh kilometers of road and added that the current construction pace is approximately 100 kilometers per day, said Jaitley.
Jaitley also proposed Public Utility Resolution of Disputes Bill for resolution of disputes in the infra sector.
Highlighting that the National Skill Development Mission has imparted training to 76 lakh youth, he said that a further 1500 multi-skill training institutes are proposed to be set up by the government.
The finance minister impressed on the need for ensuring 100 percent village electrification by May 1, 2018 and Rs.87,765 crores for rural development as a whole have been allocated in the budget.
Jaitley proposed mission to provide LPG gas connection to women household members at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore and Appreciated 75 lakh Middle class and lower middle class for willingly giving up LPG Subsidy under government initiative.
300 RURBAN (rural gowth) clusters are also to be set up under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission.