Protection from Economic Meltdown

 

Rajya Sabha 

The Government has been monitoring and evaluating the effect of global economic developments on the Indian economy, in formulating its economic policies. Fiscal stimulus packages have been provided by the Government, from time to time, to address the adverse impact of global meltdown, on the domestic economy. The fiscal measures, inter-alia, include increased plan expenditures, reduction in indirect taxes and sector specific measures. These measures have been supplemented by monetary measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India. 

The Government has provided adequate allocations in the Budget, for flagship programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, National Programme of Midday Meals in schools, Integrated Child Development Services Scheme. National Rural Health Mission and Bharat Nirman. The share of Central Government expenditure on social services and rural development, in total expenditure has increased from 15.48 per cent in 2007-08 to 19.44 per cent in 2008-09 (revised estimates). 

The Plan outlay of Ministry of Minority Affairs has been enhanced from Rs.1,000 crore in 2008-09(BE) to Rs.1,740 crore in 2009-10, registering an increase of 74 percent. This includes Rs.990 crore for Multi Sectoral Development Programme for Minorities in selected minority concentration districts, Grants-in-aid to Maulana Azad Education Foundation which is almost doubled and provision for National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation and Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for Minorities. Allocations have also been made for the new scheme of National Fellowship for Students from the Minority Community and Grants-in-aid to Central Wakf Council for computerization of records of State Wakf Boards. These funds are for the use of minorities in the entire country including Uttar Pradesh. The Government of Uttar Pradesh has made a provision of Rs 995.80 crore in the budget of 2009-10 for minorities. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in reply to a question raised by Shri Kamal Akhtar and Shri Nand Kishore yadav in Rajya Sabha today.