Government Plans and Schemes

Union Finance Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee, presented the Budget of India in the Lok Sabha on 28 February 2011. All the major plans mentioned in the Budget including the old and the new ones are as following:

Bharat Nirman
For the year 2011-12, Bharat Nirman, which includes Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna, Indira Awas Yojna, National Rural Drinking Water Programme and Rural telephony have together been allocated 58000 crore. This is an increase of 10000 crore from the current year. A Plan was also announced to provide Rural Broadband Connectivity to all 250000 Panchayats in the country in three years.

Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
The existing operational norms of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have been revised to implement the right of children to free and compulsory education which has come into force with effect from 1 April 2010. For the year 2011-12, 21000 crore will be allocated which is 40 per cent higher than 15000 crore allocated in the Budget for 2010-11. A revised Centrally Sponsored Scheme Vocationalisation of Secondary Education will be implemented from 2011-12 to improve the employability of our youth.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
In pursuance of last year’s budget announcement to provide a real wage of 100 rupees per day, the Government has decided to index the wage rates notified under the MGNREGA to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour. The enhanced wage rates have been notified by the Ministry of Rural Development on 14 January 2011.
From 1 April 2011 remuneration of Anganwadi workers increased from 1500 rupees  per month to 3000 rupees per month and for Anganwadi helpers from 750 rupees per month to 1500 rupees per month.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna
The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has emerged as an effective instrument for providing a basic health cover to poor and marginal workers. It is now extended to MGNREGA beneficiaries, beedi workers and others. In 2011-12, it was proposed to further extend RSBY to cover unorganised sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries like slate and slate pencil, dolomite, mica and asbestos etc.
  
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
The total allocation of  Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is increased from 6755 crore in 2010-11 to 7860 crore in 2011-12.

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme
The Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers are the backbone of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme. An increase in the remuneration of Anganwadi workers from 1500 rupees per month to 3000 rupees per month and for Anganwadi helpers from 750 rupees per month to 1500 rupees per month was announced. This will be effective from April 1, 2011. Around 22 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers will benefit from the increase.

Swavalamban
A subscriber under Swavalamban will be allowed exit at the age of 50 years instead of 60 years, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later. Union Finance Minstry proposed to extend the benefit of Government contribution from three to five years for all subscribers of Swavalamban who enroll during 2010-11 and 2011-12. An estimated 20 lakh beneficiaries will join the scheme by March 2012.Swavalamban was launched in the Budget 2010-11.

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
Under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme for BPL beneficiaries, the eligibility for pension is proposed to be reduced from 65 years at present to 60 years. Further, for those who are 80 years and above, the pension amount is being raised from 200 rupees at present to 500 rupees per month.

Rajiv Awas Yojana
To enhance credit worthiness of economically weaker sections and LIG households, a Mortgage Risk Guarantee Fund was announced to be created under Rajiv Awas Yojana.

Scheduled Castes and Tribal Sub-plan
In the Budget for 2011-12, for the first time, specific allocations are being earmarked towards Scheduled Castes Sub-plan and Tribal Sub-plan. These will be shown in the Budget of the relevant Ministries and Departments under separate minor heads of account. Further, the Budget allocation for primitive tribal groups was increased from 185 crore in 2010-11 to 244 crore in 2011-12.

National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
The Indian automobile market is the second fastest growing in the world and it has shown nearly 30 per cent growth in 2010-11. World over, substantial investments are being made in the field of hybrid and electric mobility. To provide green and clean transportation for the masses, National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles will be launched in the year 2011 in collaboration with all stakeholders.