Modi Govt's Middle Class Schemes: Amit Shah Lists Key Initiatives

New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) Metro projects worth Rs 30,700 crore were approved in the first 100 days of the Narendra Modi government to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the Modi government in its third tenure, Shah said 12 industrial corridors with an investment of Rs 28,600 crore have been approved to give a boost to India's journey of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

Shah, flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act has been implemented by the government for transparency in recruitment.

"Metro projects worth Rs 30,700 crore in Pune, Thane and Bengaluru will enhance connectivity and reduce travel time," he said, listing the works initiated for "empowering the middle class".

The home minister said the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) was launched at Delhi's IGI Airport to ensure hassle-free travel.

Under the FTI-TTP, eligible passengers will be allowed to utilise e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey.

Eligible individuals will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) along with other required information as specified in the application form.

Shah said the government has made income up to Rs 7 lakh tax-free and started an increased standard deduction from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, to benefit crores of taxpayers.

"A comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act was initiated to simplify it and make it people-friendly," he said.

Talking about the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), the home minister said it will give an assured pension of 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before superannuation.

Revision of the 'one rank, one pension' scheme will ensure the welfare of retired defence personnel and their families, he added.

Shah said 75,000 new medical seats will be available soon and that will reduce reliance on overseas institutions and improve the country's healthcare infrastructure.

On the Ayushman Bharat scheme, he said people above the age of 70 years irrespective of income will be given a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year, benefiting 6 crore senior citizens.

He said one crore houses will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) with a central government subsidy of Rs 2.30 lakh crore for urban housing development.

The home minister said solar systems installed in 3.5 lakh houses under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' will increase savings for the middle class.

Besides, he said, the MUDRA loan limit has been doubled from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to boost entrepreneurship while customs duty on gold and silver was reduced to 6 per cent and on platinum to 6.4 per cent providing relief to the middle class.

The government will also procure electric buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism' with a support of Rs 3,400 crore for providing environmentally friendly transport system, he said.