India Today : Jul 05, 2019, 01:31 PM
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her maiden Budget speech on Friday, promised access to clean water to all rural households by 2024.In her speech, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "This new ministry will look at the management of our water resources and water supply in an integrated and holistic manner and will work with states to ensure 'Har Ghar Jal' [Water to each household], to all rural households by 2024 under 'Jal Jeevan Mission'."She also said, "Ensuring India's water security and providing access to safe drinking water to all Indians is a priority. A major step in this direction has been the constitution of Jal Shakti Ministry."In her Budget speech, Nirmala Sitharam also announced access to electricity to every household by 2022.She also said that 1.9 crore houses will be provided to citizens in the next two years.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also gave a big push to electronic vehicles as a means to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.Sitharaman said that the Modi government strives to encourage faster adoption of electronic vehicles."FAME II scheme aims to encourage faster adoption of electric vehicles by right incentives and charging infrastructure," said Nirmala Sitharaman during the Budget speech on Friday.The finance minister also announced that the Union government has approved rail and metro projects for 300 km across the country.