HYDERABAD: In its first comprehensive Budget, the Congress government has placed significant emphasis on Panchayat Raj and rural development. The new allocations for these sectors have been increased from the previous year's revised estimates.
While the BRS government had allocated ₹23,997 crore for Panchayat Raj and rural development in 2023-24, the current government has raised this amount to ₹29,816 crore. A key initiative under the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme aims to empower 63 lakh women by transforming them into entrepreneurs. The government plans to establish common processing centers for these entrepreneurs and create a small-scale industrial park in each Assembly constituency.
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka highlighted the scheme’s objectives during his Budget speech: "Each year, the project aims to support 5,000 rural or regional societies, with an aspiration to extend this support to 25,000 societies."