NEW DELHI:We appreciate the government’s impetus on the development of overall infrastructure as it will also bring the boost in the real estate sector, according to Amit Modi, Director, ABA Corp and Vice President, CREDAI Western Uttar Pradesh (UP)
“Although, at the same time, the government has missed out a big step as we expected the limit of tax deduction for housing loans to be increased up to Rs 5 Lakh from present limit of Rs 2 Lakh per annum because it would have brought the much needed fillip to the infrastructure sector,” he said.
“The initiative of setting up of a dedicated fund for affordable housing will help create more affordable supply generating demand from end-users. The long term capital gain tax on the equity will also create a level playing field for the long term capital parking in the real estate sector. We would also like to acknowledge the announcement of a new Flagship National Health Protection Scheme, providing health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year as it will increase the productivity of the workforce in the infrastructure and real estate sector,” Modi said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced two new initiatives under the Ayushman Bharat Programme in the Union Budget 2018.
Under the programme, Jaitley announced a new flagship National Health Protection Scheme, providing a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh a family per annum. The scheme will cover 10 crore vulnerable families, with approximately 50 crore beneficiaries.
“We are slowly progressing towards universal health coverage,” Jaitley said, adding that the scheme would be the “world’s largest healthcare programme”.
He also announced the creation of health and wellness centres, which will “bring healthcare closer to home”. These centres, 1.5 lakh in number, will provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services. A sum of Rs. 1200 crore had been allocated for this.