The Narendra Modiled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government unveiled pensions for small traders and farmers, and expanded PM Kisan, the minimum assured income scheme announced in its first term, to include all eligible farmers, two big-ticket announcements just a day after being sworn in for its second term.
The first meeting of the new Cabinet, chaired by Modi, decided to launch two flagship pension schemes, supported entirely by the Centre, to provide a minimum fixed pension of Rs. 3,000 a month for small and marginal farmers and small traders when they reach 60 years.
People between the ages of 18 and 40 are eligible for entry into the schemes.
Under the schemes, all farmers, shopkeepers and retailers, and self employed persons with a GST turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore and aged between 18-40 years can enroll.
According to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, the scheme will benefit more than 30 million small shopkeepers and traders and secure the lives of 50 million farmers.