Modi’s 100-day agenda includes $1.2-billion new cities plan
The proposals are likely to be a part of the Budget to be tabled by the new government once it takes o–ce
Indian government ocials are discussing proposals to subsidise interest on home loans, create new urban centers and reduce bankruptcy delays as part of Prime Minister Modi’s 100-day agenda if he returns to oce, people familiar with the matter said.
The plans include setting up about 10 new cities to expand manufacturing and services sectors while also easing population congestion, the ocials said, asking not to be identified as the talks are private. The project will need initial funding of about ₹100 billion ($1.2 billion), the people said.
The proposals expand on the goals outlined in the ruling party’s election manifesto released this week, which pledged to boost manufacturing and improve living conditions in India’s cities. At the launch of the manifesto, Modi said he’d instructed ocials to begin work on programmes to be implemented in his first 100 days in oce, showing his confidence in returning to office for a third consecutive term ahead of elections, that kick o¯ on Friday.
Ocials are also discussing plans for a new interest subsidy scheme on loans for a¯ordable homes, which was first announced by Modi last year, the people said. The subsidy is aimed at driving growth in the real estate sector.
Ocials said some of the proposals are likely to be a part of the Budget to be released by the new government once it takes oce.
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Some of the other recommendations include the following, the people said: Amending the insolvency and bankruptcy law to reduce delays and maximise returns from liquidated assets. Increasing the strength of the bankruptcy tribunal for faster disposal of cases. Implementing rules for facilitating Indian companies to list shares directly on international exchanges in Gujarat’s financial hub.
While the rules were notified earlier this year the process for listing is still awaited. Concluding free trade agreements with the UK and Oman. Developing an industry for Indian-made commercial aircraft by 2035. Preparing a blueprint for developing India’s own credit ratings company. Pushing States for more reforms on vehicular pollution and make municipal corporations financially self-sucient.
A panel of ocials made a presentation to Modi last month, in which they provided forecasts to 2047, the people said. The projections include an increase in the size of the economy to more than $30 trillion from $3.5 trillion currently, and a seven-fold jump in per capita income to $18,000 a year, one of the people said.