PM warns of tough action against dishonest, announces sops

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sent out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people even as he announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.
He also assured the honest people that the government will act as a friend to them so that their difficulties are eased.
Among the sops announced in his address to the nation at the end of 50-day demonetisation period, Modi said senior citizens will get 8 per cent interest on deposits of upto Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years and deposit of Rs 6000 into accounts of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas to meet medical expenses.

For farmers, he announced that banks will not charge interest for 60 days on loans taken from district cooperative central bank and primary societies for rabi crop.
For construction or expansion of a rural house, 3 per cent interest will be waived on loan of upto Rs 2 lakh.
Announcing two new schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said 4 per cent interest subvention on loans upto Rs 9 lakh and 3 per cent on loan upto Rs 12 lakh.

"The law will take its course with full force. The government will help the honest and protect them and see their difficulties are eased. How honest will gain from the government. This government is a friend of good people and wants to build on the good environment for the people to return to goodness," he said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event,
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu hoped that all parties understand the importance of the Budget session and prepare themselves to participate in a more meaningful and constructive manner.
He said government is ready to discuss each and every issue including demonetisation.
"This budget is a new budget because general budget and railway budget have been combined together. The members will have an opportunity to discuss policies of the government.
"Secondly, we will have ample opportunity to scrutinise the budget proposals in depth because we have a committee system and thirdly, we can have a general discussion on various issues in the session," Naidu said.

The minister said government has nothing to hide or worry, adding that, "we have taken many far-reaching reforms in various walks of life and governance and we are happy of discuss about the same including the recent demonetisation.
"We can also discuss other related issues that are currently before the country. I hope we will have a meaningful session and members of all parties will use this occasion to have a more constructive debate," the minister added.