Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that metro projects worth Rs 30,700 crore have been approved in the first 100 days of the Narendra Modi government to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time.
Shah, speaking at a press conference on the Modi administration's achievements, also revealed that 12 industrial corridors, with an investment of Rs 28,600 crore, have been sanctioned to bolster India's position as a global manufacturing hub.
Flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shah highlighted several initiatives. The government has implemented the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to ensure transparency in recruitment processes.
Shah detailed the launch of the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at Delhi's IGI Airport, designed to streamline travel by allowing eligible passengers to use e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues. Applicants must complete an online application and provide biometric data.
The government has introduced measures to benefit taxpayers, including making income up to Rs 7 lakh tax-free and increasing the standard deduction from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act has been initiated to simplify and improve its user-friendliness.
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) will provide retirees with a pension equal to 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement. The 'one rank, one pension' scheme will be revised to better support retired defence personnel and their families.
Shah also announced that 75,000 new medical seats will soon be available, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign institutions and enhancing the country’s healthcare system. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year, benefiting around 6 crore individuals.
The government plans to build one crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), with a central subsidy of Rs 2.30 lakh crore. The 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' will see solar systems installed in 3.5 lakh houses, boosting savings for the middle class.
Other measures include doubling the MUDRA loan limit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to support entrepreneurship, reducing customs duty on gold and silver to 6% and on platinum to 6.4%, and procuring electric buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism' with an investment of Rs 3,400 crore to promote eco-friendly transport.
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