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The Gist of Kurukshetra: February 2017
- Infrastructure for Rural Prosperity (Free Available)
- Augmenting Social Infrastructure in Rural India (Only For The Subscribed Members)
Infrastructure for Rural Prosperity
India's economic journey from an impoverished nation to one of fastest global economy has inspired many other developing nations and this rapid economic development has been possible with contribution from every sector of Indian economy.
With huge population still living in Rural India, Rural Development plays an important factor for the growth of the Indian economy and Rural India is yet to play big role in India's economic voyage and there is dire need for future investments in the rural areas of India to decrease urbanization and increase employment in small towns and villages.
The economic prosperity in rural India can only be achieved
if the critical issues of physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and
knowledge connectivity are addressed effectively.
While urban India has seen big progress in recent years, the small towns of
India continue to lag behind. There are many challenges that these places face
including poor road connectivity, primary healthcare system, educational
infrastructure and affordable housing. Rise in Indian exports, Industrial
development and adoption of modern technologies have mostly helped in generating
additional employment in urban areas and rural India has been left out.
India joined the club of trillion-dollar economies many years back and it will undoubtedly double its size to 2 trillion dollars because of economic reforms and globalization but without push from rural India this faster growth may not be possible.
Despite growth of services and other sectors, Indian economy is dependent on agrobased activities. Agriculture, with its allied various sectors, is undeniably the largest livelihood provider in India. 67 per cent of the Indian population is employed in the agricultural sector, and even than it adds up to only 37 per cent to the GDP. A majority of these families spend over 90 per cent ,of their earnings on basic needs such as food, fuel and health care.
In the Union Budget 2016-17, many provisions have been made for reforming agriculture. These revolve around 'investments, incentives and institutions. The allocation for agriculture and farmers' welfare this year is Rs.35,984 crore, the highest ever.