The government has approved projects worth Rs 15 lakh crore since returning to power this July, pointed out Union Minister Amit Shah today as he released a report card for the first 100 days of the Modi government’s third term.
Out of this, the government has earmarked Rs 3 lakh crore for infrastructure development. This includes linking about 25,000 villages to road networks at a cost of Rs 49,000 crore. The centre has also decided to expand major roads across the country at a cost of Rs 50,600 crore, the minister said at a press conference.
“A mega port will be built in Wadhwan, Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 76,000 crore, which will be included among the top 10 ports of the world from Day 1,” said the Home Minister.
Mr Shah also highlighted that the government has launched the PM eBus Sewa scheme, removed 31% tax burden via angel tax abolition for startups, and marked 12 industrial zones across India for development.
Speaking about cybersecurity, the minister said 5,000 cyber commandos will be deployed over the next five years to tackle cybercrime.
The Union Home Minister said a PM package of Rs 2 lakh crore has also been announced for the youth. “4.10 crore youth will benefit from this in five years. Our government has also decided to provide internship opportunities in top companies along with allowances and one-time assistance to one crore youth,” he added.
Mr Shah the middle class has also been given a lot of relief in these 100 days. “Now there is no tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh. The third edition of OROP (one rank one pension) has been implemented. 3 crore houses have been sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, out of which 1 crore houses will be built in urban areas and 2 crore houses in rural areas,” said the Union Minister.
He also highlighted the initiatives taken to enhance the air and metro connectivity.
“To promote tourism, we are upgrading the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, Bagdogra in West Bengal, Bihta Airport in Bihar. We are also building new airstrips at Agatti and Minicoy. We have also taken up the projects of Bengaluru Metro, Pune Metro, Thane Integrated Ring Metro and many other metros in these 100 days,” said Mr Shah.
In the agriculture sector, he said the government has distributed Rs 20,000 crore to 9.5 crore farmers in the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Yojana. “So far, Rs 3 lakh crore has been distributed to 12.33 crore farmers,” said the Union Minister.
The government will also set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat at a cost of Rs 3,300 crore. The unit will have a production capacity of six million chips per day.
“In the next 10 years, India will become a major player in semiconductors,” asserted the Home Minister.
Other initiatives taken during the first 100 days include eight new railway line projects that will make travel more convenient. The projects will also generate 4.42 crore human-days of employment.
The ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ has helped over 2.5 lakh home install solar energy systems between June and August 2024.