After a hiatus of nearly a decade, the government has released the results of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, which indicate that inequality between top and bottom spenders has reduced across both rural and urban areas since 2011-12.
A shift in focus towards rural spending after a pause comes against the backdrop of debate over inequitable economic growth between rural and urban India.
Budget News: Companies building roads, ports and airports are on traders’ watchlist as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration is set to present its last bud.
An additional Rs 16,143 crore was allocated for the flagship rural employment scheme in December. Sources said that an additional Rs 10-12,000 crore is likely to be spent, bringing the total outlay to nearly Rs 88,000 crore till March 31 this year.