The Modi 2.0 government in its first Cabinet meeting Friday approved a new scheme, which assures minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to all shopkeepers, retail traders and self employed persons after attaining the age of 60 years, fulfilling its poll promise.
The decision taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired byPrime Minister Narendra Modi here will benefit 3 crore retail traders andshopkeepers.
Five crore traders are expected to join the scheme in thenext three years, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said while briefingreporters at a press conference.
“All shopkeepers and self employed persons as well asretail traders with GST turnover below Rs 1.5 crore and aged between 18-40years can enrol for the scheme,” an official statement said.Interested persons can enrol themselves throughover 3.25 lakh common service centres spread across the country. The governmentwill make matching contribution in the subscribers’ account, the statementadded.