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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his maiden Independence Day address, had made several promises to the nation.
This year was no different. Business Standard looks at some new promises the PM made this year and the fate of some he had made in 2014:
2015: START-UP INDIA & STAND-UP INDIA
"There are 1.25 lakh (125,000) banking units i.e. branches... in the country. Under 'Start-up India', more schemes will be formulated, but every branch must resolve to disburse loans for start-ups to the tribals in the locality where there is any tribal habitation. Where there is no tribal habitation, the branch can provide loans to a Dalit or a tribal, give financial support to them and thus enable 1.25 lakh Dalit entrepreneurs to come up. Banks should promote start-ups of women entrepreneurs and help them financially."
Rural electrification
"The target of providing electric poles, electric wires and electricity to 18,500 villages which have no electricity would be achieved within the next 1,000 days. I urge upon states to come forward and accept this challenge."
Development of Mining Areas: "We have formulated a special scheme for the development of the labourers and farmers of the region from where minerals are extracted and around Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) will be spent every year on regions which fall in tribal areas"
Auction Process: "We decided that whether it be coal, or spectrum or any other mineral, all will be auctioned henceforth. Within a certain time limit coal was auctioned and now almost Rs 3 lakh crore would be accruing to the national exchequer"
"The auction is on for FM Radio in some 80-85 cities. The auction amount had crossed Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion)."
Black Money: "We have given some grace period for declaring undisclosed income and today I can say that people have come forward and declared their undisclosed income amounting to Rs 6,500 crore."
"In 10 years, an amount of Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion) has been recovered under that law (PMLA). But you would be surprised to know that out of the total recovered amount, Rs 4,500 crore (Rs 45 billion) have been recovered in the last 10 months."
2014: PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA
The PM had wished to provide the poorest citizens with bank accounts.
Status: Till July 29, 2015, 172.9 mn accounts had been opened, and they had a balance of Rs 2.1 lakh-crore.
Make in India: Modi had said, "Sell in any country of the world but manufacture here."
Status: International companies, including Foxconn, ZTE and Renault, have shown intent to make components in India.
Swachh Bharat: He had talked about cleanliness and the need to build toilets.
Status: About 12 mn toilets constructed in rural areas.
