New Delhi: The government extended the Ayushman Bharat free health cover programme to all citizens of 70 and above, approved financial support for electric vehicles under a new scheme as well as a ₹70,125 crore upgrade and construction plan for rural roads and ₹12,461 crore to support the development of hydropower projects of 31,350 MW capacity.
These were among a number of big-ticket announcements taken by the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday.
EV Push
It approved the PM E-Drive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years to boost adoption of electric vehicles, replacing the flagship FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles) programme that ran for nine years till March.
This “will boost green mobility and help us build a sustainable future”, Modi said on X.
The scheme will support 2.48 million electric two-wheelers, 316,000 e-three wheelers, and 14,028 e-buses. PM E-Drive will also help set up 88,500 charging sites, information and broadcasting minister Ashwani Vaishnaw told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
The minister said clauses that limit incentives to companies that localise manufacturing will be retained. “The emphasis on domestic manufacturing is continuing in all government support schemes,” he said.
The new scheme offers subsidies and incentives worth ₹3,679 crore to increase adoption of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging electric vehicles (EVs). The plan for buses involves spending of Rs 4,391 for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses by state transport undertakings and public transport agencies.
Besides, Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the deployment of e-ambulances and another Rs 500 crore for incentivising adoption of e-trucks.
Health Cover
The cabinet approved health cover for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The scheme will benefit 60 million senior citizens from 45 million families with Rs 5 lakh free health insurance cover. Eligible beneficiaries will be issued a health card.
“We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and top-quality healthcare for every Indian,” Modi posted on X. “This scheme will ensure dignity, care and security to 6 crore citizens!”
Seniors with private health insurance or covered by the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible. However, those already covered by other public health insurance programmes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can choose to stick with them or opt for AB PM-JAY, an official statement said.
Rural Roads
The cabinet approved implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV from FY25 to FY29. The assistance is to be provided for the construction of 62,500 km of roads for providing connectivity to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations and construction and upgradation of bridges.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) has been launched for FY25 to FY29 with a total spending of ₹70,125 crore, of which the central share is ₹49,087.50 crore and that of states will be ₹21,037.50 crore.
