‘Massive overhaul of economy, infra on cards’

BHOPAL: The central government has stepped up effort to streamline the economy, banking sector and providing impetus to the infrastructure by building roads. State-owned SAIL is also investing Rs 1.5 lakh crores in its steel plants for their modernisation. The government also plans to extend <g data-gr-id="43">benefit</g> of three social security schemes to 50 crore people in the unorganised sector, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said here.

“Three social security schemes namely, Prime Minister Suraksha Beema Yojana, PM <g data-gr-id="57">Jevan</g> Jyoti Beema Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, benefits more than 50 crore people in <g data-gr-id="60">unorganised</g> sector. There is an assurance of minimum Rs 1,000 pension to the poor,” he said, addressing a press conference on the occasion of successful completion of one-year of NDA government. Three social security <g data-gr-id="59">schemes,</g> benefits more than 50 crore people in the <g data-gr-id="58">unorganized</g> sector in India.

Steps have been taken for financial inclusion of poor. “Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana is meant for the financial inclusion. Fifteen <g data-gr-id="70">crore</g>, eight lakh bank accounts have been opened in the country under the PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme,” he said. Road construction works <g data-gr-id="66">has</g> been started to connect villages with towns and <g data-gr-id="69">cities,</g> so that <g data-gr-id="68">economy</g> of the rural areas could be strengthened through more flow of capital and goods. Referring to the overhauling of the mining sector, the union Minister said that “exploration of mining and research in steel are thrust areas of government.” Measures are being taken for preventing illegal mining and fines were also prescribed for illegal mining activities, 

he said.  Throwing light on the steps taken by the Narendra Modi led government on providing transparency in governance, the Minister said that “As per the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the coal mines were put on auction and government received an amount of more than Rs 2 lakh crores.”

The National Mineral Exploration Trust was set up and the mineral exploration works have been fastened in the country. The government is making every effort for <g data-gr-id="75">protection</g> of <g data-gr-id="76">environment</g> in mining areas. The royalty on mines has been increased to benefit all the states in India, he said. Reiterating the commitment of the NDA government for the welfare of the farmers the union Minister said that “Rs 8,500 crore were allocated towards compensation to farmers for loss of crops. The government is committed for providing irrigation facilities to the fields and connecting villages by constructing pucca roads under the PM’s Gramin Sadak Yojana programme.” “The government has focused on the modernization of SAIL steel plants. Fifty million tonnes of (production) target of SAIL has been set at an expense of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore by 2025,” he said. 

The Minister gave credit for the economic transformation to the ‘The Make in India’ concept advocated by the PM calling it as “a value addition” and which will create more employment opportunities. Modi’s foreign visits helped in establishing good relationship with world nations and friendly relations with India’s neighbours, he said.

Tomar also met Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh to discuss various pending issues in mining and compliance of issues raised during the Global Investor Summit held in Indore. “The proposals from various Public Sector Companies for new mining leases and mineral 

prospecting leases as well as for setting up of steel plants and power plants were also part of the agenda and were discussed threadbare,” he said.