DHAKA: India’s government is unveiling a budget aimed at boosting farm growth and appealing to the rural poor.

India finance minister Arun Jaitley said he planned to double the income of struggling farmers in the next five years.

Having overtaken China as the world's fastest-growing economy, India is seen as a bright spot in the global economy.

But it has been hit by slowing global demand and severe droughts affecting rural areas.

‘We are grateful to our farmers for being the backbone of the country’s food security,’ Jaitley said of India’s estimated 120 million farmers, reports the BBC.

He pledged to ‘spend prudently and wisely for the people, especially for the poor and downtrodden’.

Analysts say Jaitely is announcing increased spending on rural economy, health and social sectors with an eye on boosting his party’s prospects in the coming state elections.

They include a pledge to set up 89 projects for irrigation, doubling investments in rural roads to help farmers get produce to market, getting cooking gas to millions of poor households and funds for women entrepreneurs from underprivileged families.

The government would work to ensure all the country's villages had electricity within two years, Jaitley said.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has promised to improve business and investor climate in the country with tax reforms and major infrastructure projects.

BDST: 1320 HRS, FEB 29, 2016
RR