Budget 2017: For digitisation in rural areas Rs 10,000 crore allocation for Bharat Net project

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday while announcing the Union Budget 2017 said that transport sector allocated Rs 2.41 lakh crore and Bharat Net Project allocated Rs 10,000 crore. The Finance Minister said that there was a need to bring digitisation to more rural areas and to get them connected to the world.

With this allocation for the Bharat Net project the optical fibre cables will now be increased to cover over 1.50 lakh gram panchayats from over 75,700 lakh currently.

Jaitley further said that the telecom industry was one of the most vital sectors and the spectrum allocation had generated vital revenue for the government.

“Total allocation for infrastructure stands at record level Rs 3,96,135 crore,” Jaitley said.

The government also allocated Rs 64,000 crore for highways in the road sector. He said that 2000 km of coastal roads will be built.

Jaitley said that the Budget for 2017 will be with the approach has been to spend more on rural areas, infrastructure and poverty alleviation.

He further said, “Will continue economic reform for the benefit of the poor. We are aware that we need to do more for our people.”

The first chapter in the Budget that Jaitley spoke about was to double farmers income in 5 years.