ENA Sectors 2024-06-11 13:14:54 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jun 11 (KNN)</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit the ground running on his first day back in office, taking two major policy decisions aimed at benefiting farmers and expanding the government's affordable housing program.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In his first official act after being sworn in on Sunday, Modi authorised the release of the 17th instalment under the PM-KISAN scheme.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This direct income support initiative will provide financial assistance of around 200 billion rupees to 93 million farmers across the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"> Ours is a government fully committed to farmer welfare. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare, the Prime Minister stated after signing the file.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Launched in 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme initially covered 120 million small and marginal farmer families.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">However, the ambit was later expanded to include all landholding farmers, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to around 145 million.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Later in the day, chairing the first Cabinet meeting of his new tenure, Modi secured approval for a proposal to provide housing assistance to an additional 30 million rural and urban households.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This significant move aims to address the rising demand for affordable homes driven by an increase in the number of eligible families.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a flagship housing scheme initiated in 2015, has already enabled the construction of 42.1 million houses for underprivileged families over the past decade.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Homes built under PMAY are equipped with basic amenities such as toilets, LPG connections, electricity, and tap water through convergence with other government schemes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In his address to the Prime Minister's Office staff, Modi reiterated his commitment to making the PMO a people's office and a catalyst for positive change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 38149 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/pm-modi-acts-on-farmer-welfare-affordable-housing-on-first-day-back-in-office 2024-06-11 13:14:54 knnindia.co.in