Budget 2016 focus' on rural economy

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley unveiled a budget for the poor on Monday, announcing new rural aid and health programmes in a strategy shift that could boost his ruling party in coming state elections.

 

Here are the highlights of Jaitley's budget for the fiscal year that begins on April 1.

 

RURAL ECONOMY

* Rural jobs programme allocated Rs 38,500 crores ($5.61 billion) in 2016/17

* Farmer welfare budget in 2016/17 to total Rs 35,984 crores

* Rural road development to get Rs 19,000 crores in 2016/17

* Target of agriculture credit at Rs 9,00,000 crores in 2016/17

* Interest subvention towards farm loans in 2016/17 at Rs 15,000 crores

 

($1 = 68.6700 Indian rupees)