Modis third term has marked the completion of its first 100 days in office. According to government sources, several key targets set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year have been achieved. Prior to launching the campaign for the 2024 general election, the Prime Minister had assigned officials a set of tasks to be completed within this 100-day period.In a major push towards infrastructural development, the government has approved projects worth a staggering ₹3 lakh crore in just 100 days. The focus of these initiatives lies on enhancing transportation infrastructure, with special attention to roads, railways, ports, and airways.One of the most significant approvals is for the Wadhavan Mega Port in Maharashtra, which will be developed at a cost of ₹76,200 crore. This ambitious project aims to position Wadhavan as one of the top 10 ports globally.Major boost to rural roads and high-speed corridorsAccording to the official sources, under the Prime Ministers Rural Roads Scheme-4 (PMGSY-IV), the government has greenlit the construction and upgradation of 62,500 kilometers of roads and bridges, connecting 25,000 unconnected villages. This initiative will be backed by central assistance worth ₹49,000 crore.Further, the government has approved the strengthening of Indias road network with an additional investment of ₹50,600 crore, along with eight high-speed road corridor projects spanning 936 kilometers. These steps are expected to significantly enhance connectivity and boost economic growth.Development of key infrastructure projectsThe government has laid the foundation stone for the Shinkhun-La Tunnel, which will connect Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh, further strengthening national integration through enhanced accessibility. Additionally, eight new railway line projects have been approved, which will improve travel times and convenience, generating 4.42 crore man-days of employment.Key aviation projects have also been prioritized, including the development of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi and the creation of new civil enclaves at Bagdogra and Bihta. Further, new airstrips are set to be built at Agatti and Minicoy, while metro rail projects in Bangalore, Pune, and Thane have also received approval for expansion.Support for farmers through PM Kisan Samman NidhiThe 17th installment of the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has been released, distributing ₹20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers. To date, ₹3 lakh crore has been distributed to a total of 12.33 crore farmers.Additionally, the government has raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops for 2024-25, benefiting approximately 12 crore farmers by nearly ₹2 lakh crore.The Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh has been allocated ₹12,100 crore, and several agricultural schemes have been launched with a total outlay of ₹14,200 crore, including the Digital Agriculture Mission to improve efficiency in the agricultural sector.Empowering the middle class and providing tax reliefIn a move to provide tax relief to the middle class, the government has ensured no tax on income up to ₹7 lakh. Salaried individuals can now save up to ₹17,500 in taxes, with the standard deduction increased to ₹75,000 and the exemption limit for family pensions raised to ₹25,000.The government has also announced the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme, ensuring that employees with 25 years of service will receive 50% of their average basic salary as a pension. Furthermore, the third iteration of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme has been approved for security forces and their families.Affordable housing and green energy initiativesUnder the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 3 crore houses have been approved, with 1 crore under the urban scheme and 2 crore under the rural scheme. A total of 4.27 crore houses have been constructed across both urban and rural areas.In a bid to promote renewable energy, over 2.5 lakh homes have been equipped with solar energy systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Additionally, an environmentally friendly public transport system is being developed with the approval of ₹3,400 crore for the purchase of e-buses under the PM E-Bus service.Fostering innovation and startupsTo support the growth of startups, the government has abolished the 31% Angel Tax that had been a burden since 2012. In another pro-business move, corporate tax for foreign companies has been reduced from 40% to 35%, making India more competitive on the global stage.The government has also approved the Gen-Next Support for Innovation Startups (GENESIS) program, aimed at boosting startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Moreover, a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund has been established to promote innovation in the space sector, ensuring that India becomes a leader in the global space economy.Empowering youth and creating jobsA ₹2 lakh crore package has been announced to promote employment and skill development among Indias youth, with the goal of benefiting 41 million young people over the next five years. The plan includes internships, skilling programs, and job creation opportunities.Over 15,000 new government appointments have been announced, and incentives will be provided to first-time employees covered under the EPFO, along with financial and tax incentives for startups and MSMEs.ConclusionThe governments commitment to infrastructural development, support for farmers, and initiatives for middle-class and youth empowerment mark significant strides towards creating a self-reliant and economically robust India. With projects worth ₹3 lakh crore approved in the first 100 days, the country is on the path to rapid transformation.
