The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely presenting the Union Budget 2015-16, here today, said that government is committed to supporting employment through MGNREGA and ensure that no one who is poor is left without employment. Shri Jaitley said that the focus is on improving the quality and effectiveness of activities under MGNREGA. Shri Jaitley proposed an initial allocation of ₹ 34,699 crore for the programme in the Budget.

 Shri Jaitley said that “while the farmer is no longer in the clutches of the local trader, his produce still does not command the best national price. To increase the incomes of farmers, it is imperative that we create a National agricultural market, which will have the incidental benefit of moderating price rises”. The Minister intends this year to work with the States, in NITI, for the creation of a Unified National Agriculture Market.

Support for employment under MGNREGA prioritised, with measures to improve programme effectiveness and create a national agricultural market. Support for employment under MGNREGA is reinforced by a budgetary allocation and an operational focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of programme activities to ensure no poor person is left without employment. Separately, the document advances creation of a Unified National Agriculture Market, proposing collaboration with States through NITI to improve farmers' price realization and moderate price rises.