Inclusive Growth

03 Feb 2022 Editorial Team

Contrary to expectations, the much-anticipated budget of FY23 was bold and made a statement aiming at a structural foothold for long-term, high, single-digit growth rather than a financial presentation for just one year.

The headline deficit is higher than expected for both FY22 at 6.9 per cent and FY23 at 6.4 per cent. However, the deficit being directed towards capital spending while pruning revenue spending is a positive.

With a clear focus on low-hanging fruits such as roads, railways, defence, communication and increased allocation in the hands of states, the intent of a structural revival in growth is set. The Government is not shy of spending and allocating to develop the core infrastructure of the economy while simultaneously pruning revenue expenditure and subsidies. Revenue expenditure excluding interest is budgeted for a decline as most expenditure is projected to reduce or stay flat with the exception of allocation to states.

The highlights

While the headline capex is ~24 per cent year on year (y-o-y), within the detail there is significantly higher allocation for roads (58 per cent) and communication and loans to states (4x). Defence and rail capex is also a healthy double digit. Under the larger umbrella of PM Gati Shakti, there is a layout for a multiyear capex pipeline. Capex/GDP grows to 2.9 per cent versus 2.6 per cent. Note that earlier in the years between FY2002 and 2005, average capex to GDP was 3.2 per cent, which led to strong GDP growth in the years ahead.

PM Gati Shakti with its focus on seven core sectors is clearly positioned as the engine for growth. And this time around…

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Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..