Industry & Economy
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Budget
Four flagship programmes
As Honourable Members are aware, there are eight flagship programmes of the UPA Government. I have dealt with two in the education sector (SSA & MMS) and two in the health sector (NRHM & ICDS). Let me now refer to the allocations that I propose to make for the other four flagship programmes:
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) will be rolled out to all 596 rural districts in India. Initially, we will provide Rs 16,000 crore. Let there be no apprehension in anyone’s mind: as demand rises, more money will be provided to meet the legal guarantee of employment.
• The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) is the main vehicle for improving urban infrastructure. It has also succeeded in driving reforms in urban governance and urban-related laws. I propose to increase the allocation from Rs 5,482 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 6,866 crore in 2008-09.
• The goal of the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission is to supply safe drinking water to uncovered habitations and slipped back habitations as well as to address issues of quality. I propose to enhance the allocation to Rs 7,300 crore in 2008-09 as against Rs 6,500 crore in 2007-08.
The Mission does not yet have a separate component for school children in water-deficient habitations. Our children should have good, clean drinking water. Hence, I propose to allocate funds to the Mission under a separate sub-head in order to install a standalone system to provide potable water to each school in water-deficient habitations. The cost of each system, depending on the technology and design, is estimated to be between Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000. While a detailed plan for four years will be drawn up, I propose to make an initial allocation of Rs 200 crore in 2008-09.
• The Total Sanitation Campaign is all about changing habits and mindsets, and it is a continuous process. I propose to provide Rs 1,200 crore in 2008-09.
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