New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) The construction of 12 crore toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 10 crore free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, ration for 80 crore needy citizens, the Saubhagya Yojana, and the Jal Jeevan Mission have instilled confidence among the poor to lead a dignified life, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.
Addressing the joint session of Parliament, the President said, “Due to such efforts, 25 crore people have overcome poverty and are moving forward in life. They have formed a Neo Middle Class, a group that is infusing new energy into India’s growth journey.”
“Development is truly meaningful when its benefits reach the person standing at the last rung of society,” She added, emphasising that this is the essence of Antyodaya, to which my government has been unwaveringly committed.
“When poor people are provided with a dignified life, it instils a sense of empowerment that helps them fight poverty,” the President said.
“The nation is witnessing the rapid implementation of major decisions and policies, with the highest priority given to the poor, the middle class, the youth, women, and farmers,“ she remarked.
The President underscored that the pace of work has tripled in this third term, stating, “The government is infusing new energy through unprecedented achievements in this Amrit Kaal of India’s development journey.”
“To ensure housing for all, the government has decided to provide new homes to an additional three crore families extending the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” President Murmu said.
“A budget of 5,36,000 crore rupees has been allocated for this purpose,” She added.
“My government is committed to granting ownership rights of residential land to the rural poor and promoting financial inclusion. Under the SVAMITVA scheme, we have issued 2.25 crore property cards so far, of which approximately 70 lakh property cards have been distributed in the last six months alone,” the President said.
Mentioning that the economic progress of a nation like India is defined by the aspirations of the middle class and the fulfilment of those aspirations, the President said, “The bigger the dreams of the middle class are, the higher the nation soars. It is my government that has, for the first time, openly acknowledged and appreciated the contributions of the middle class on every occasion.”
“Recently, my government decided to constitute the Eighth Pay Commission for the welfare of government employees. This decision will lay the foundation for substantial salary increase for government employees in the coming years,” the President highlighted.
“Additionally, the central government has decided to provide 50% assured pension to lakhs of employees under the Unified Pension Scheme, which has been widely welcomed,” she added.
Emphasising that government is equally committed to fulfilling the middle class’s dream of owning a home, the President said, “Laws like RERA have been introduced to safeguard their dreams. Subsidies on home loans are being provided.”
“Through the UDAN scheme, about 1.5 crore people have fulfilled their dream of flying in airplanes,” she noted.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras, offering medicines at 80% concessional rates have helped save more than 30,000 crore rupees for citizens, the President underlined adding, “The multifold increase in the number of seats for education in various disciplines has significantly benefited the middle class.”
Acknowledging the role of taxpayers in nation-building, my government has simplified tax-related processes. The introduction of faceless assessments has enhanced transparency and reduced tax disputes,” she said.
Senior citizens aged 75 years and above who get only pension now have the choice of deciding about filing their income tax returns, the President added.