Modi@2: A List of the Lesser-Known Schemes of the NDA Government

Do you know about the Sagarmala project or the Nai Manzil scheme?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: The Quint)

The Modi government has launched several schemes in the last two years and the administration has left no stone unturned to aggressively promote them.

While we all know about Jan-Dhan Yojana, the Digital India campaign, Beti Padhao-Beti Bachao and the Make in India scheme, there are several other initiatives that are important but lesser known.

Here’s a list of some schemes that do not resonate in public memory.

Will the Sagarmala Project Fulfil Vajpayee’s Dream?

The thrust areas of this project are modernisation of ports and augmentation of a seaport-led development in the country. India has a coastline of over 7,000 kilometres and a massive 90 percent of Indian trade happens via sea routes.

The Sagarmala project gains more prominence amid the changing geopolitical scenarios.

A dream project of the Vajpayee government, the project was put on hold by successive UPA governments. It was only after Modi took over that the project was started again.

Will the Sagarmala project fulfil Atal BiharI Vajpayee’s dream? (Photo: PTI)

Can the Nai Manzil Scheme Become a Milestone?

Currently, there are over three lakh madrassas running in the country. Their pedagogy and teaching frameworks are based on dated methods. Since not a lot of application-based subjects are taught, students often find it hard to get jobs.

The government, therefore, decided to modernise these madrassas and include skill development in their curriculum.

The Modi government has allocated a sum of Rs 3,738 crore to the scheme.

The Nai Manzil scheme was introduced in a bid to modernise madrassas. (Photo: PTI)

MUDRA Scheme For Small Scale Industries

Small scale industries are key in creating more jobs in the economy. Data shows, small scale industries employ 120 million people currently while employment numbers for large industries combined stand at 12.5 million.

In order to promote small scale industries, the government set up the MUDRA Bank, through which a small scale industry can avail a loan up to Rs 10 lakh.

With the MUDRA Bank, a small scale industry can avail a loan upto Rs 10 lakh. (PTI)

Social Security Schemes

It’s the duty of every government to provide basic social security cover to its citizens. The Modi government has initiated a few social security schemes that are worth noting.

1. Atal Pension Yojna

Under this scheme, one will get a monthly pension of Rs 1000 -5000 (depending on your premium).

To receive a monthly pension of Rs 1000, a 40 year-old has to pay Rs 291, while an 18 year-old has to deposit Rs 40 per month. The pension money is paid once he/she retires at the age of 60. Anyone between the age of 18 to 40 is eligible for this scheme.

2. Pradhanmantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna

In this scheme, the nominee or dependent will get Rs 2 lakh after the death of the policyholder. The premium for one year is Rs 330. Any person between the age of 10 to 70 is eligible for this scheme. This is crucial for families which have a sole earning member.

3. Health Insurance Scheme

Under this scheme, a person gets the money that he/she spends on medical bills . One has to pay Rs 750 per year to get a cover of up to Rs 50,000. The insurance is not directly covered by the government but by state-owned public companies like New India Insurance and Oriental Insurance.

4. Pradhanmantri Suraksha Bima Yojna

This scheme gives a cover of upto Rs 2 lakh in case of accidental death. It is important to note that premium for this plan is just Rs 12 per year.