Modi Government Prioritises Infrastructure, Agriculture in First 100 Days

The BJP-led NDA government has sanctioned infrastructure projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore in its first 100 days in office. These projects include linking 25,000 unconnected villages to road networks and constructing a mega port at Wadhawan in Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third consecutive term on June 9 this year.

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Infrastructure Development

The government approved the Wadhavan Mega Port in Maharashtra, costing Rs 76,200 crore. This port will rank among the top 10 ports globally. Additionally, under the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Scheme-4 (PMGSY-IV), the construction and upgrading of 62,500 km of roads and bridges have been approved to connect 25,000 unconnected villages. Central assistance for this project amounts to Rs 49,000 crore.

In the civil aviation sector, the government has greenlit the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. New civil enclaves will be established at Bagdogra in West Bengal and Bihta in Bihar. Furthermore, new airstrips will be constructed at Agatti and Minicoy in Lakshadweep islands.

Agricultural Focus

The government's focus on agriculture includes increasing the minimum support price for Kharif crops. They have also removed the minimum export price on onions and basmati rice. Additionally, duties on the import of crude palm, soybean, and sunflower oils have been increased.

A new fund named Agrisure has been launched to support startups and rural enterprises in the agricultural sector. The draft of the new National Cooperative Policy is being finalised by a national-level committee.

Transport and Connectivity

To strengthen India's road network, an investment of Rs 50,600 crore has been approved. This includes eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects spanning 936 km. Modi also initiated the construction of the Shinkhun-La Tunnel to connect Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh.

The government has also approved eight new railway line projects aimed at faster and more convenient train travel. These projects are expected to generate 4.42 crore human-days of employment.

Urban Development

Under Phase 3 of the Bangalore Metro expansion, Pune Metro, and Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project have received approval. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has seen approval for three crore houses, with one crore under the urban scheme and two crore for rural areas. To date, 4.27 crore houses have been built under this scheme.

Tax Reforms

For middle-class benefits, no tax will be levied on income up to Rs seven lakh. Salaried individuals can save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes due to an increased standard deduction of Rs 75,000. The exemption limit for family pensions has been raised to Rs 25,000.

A comprehensive review of income tax rules will be conducted within six months to make them concise and clear. For government employees, a Unified Pension Scheme has been implemented where employees with 25 years of service will receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension.

Energy Initiatives

Under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, solar energy systems have been installed in over 2.5 lakh homes between June and August 2024. An environmentally friendly public transport system will be developed through the PM-eBus Sewa scheme with approval for purchasing e-buses with assistance of Rs 3,400 crore.

The third iteration of the One Rank, One Pension scheme will be implemented for security forces and their families. This initiative aims to provide better financial security for those who serve in India's defence forces.

The government's efforts reflect a balanced approach towards infrastructure development while addressing agricultural needs and urban growth. These initiatives aim to boost connectivity and improve living standards across India.