Question : PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN RURAL AREAS

(a)whether the Government is formulating any scheme to encourage public investment in rural areas to make them growth inclusive;

(b)if so, the details thereof; and

(c)if not, the reason therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL)

(a)to(c)For inclusive and equitable growth, the Eleventh Five Year Plan emphasises public investment in rural areas. The Government has launched a time bound plan under Bharat Nirman in 2005 for rural infrastructure in partnership with State Governments and Panchyati Raj Institutions. The six components included under this programme are irrigation, drinking water, rural electrification, roads, housing and rural telephony. Further, in order to improve livelihood opportunities and enhance the infrastructure related to education, health and other basic public facilities in the rural areas, the second strand of development programmes are the following eight Flagship Programmes of the Government:
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NRES),
National Rural Health Mission(NRHM),
Integrated Child Development Services(ICDS),
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA), Mid-day Meal Scheme(MMS),
Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC),

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission. In the Union Budget 2008-09, an allocation of Rs 31,280 crore has been made for Bharat Nirman and Rs 70,816 crore for the eight Flagship programmes.