New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government’s last budget of this five-year tenure came showering sops on all sections as it also rained on the Opposition’s parade. MyNation analyses the electoral implications of three major schemes announced by the government in terms of the number of beneficiaries covered by them and, therefore, potential voters for the BJP in its next bid in general elections.

Farmer

The farm income scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which includes all such farmers who own land less than two hectares, can be a vote swinger in as much as it covers 86.2% of all farmers in India. According to the Agriculture Census of 2015-16, released last September, 86.2% of all land holdings in India are smaller than the prescribed cap of 2 hectare or 5 acre.

Moreover, the pro-poor credentials of the government shall receive a major boost with this scheme as of all the landholdings in India, 68.5% are poor and marginal farmers who own less than 1 hectare or 2.5 acres of land.

The number, corresponding to 86.2% of all landholders, stands at 12.5 crore.

Middle class

If the tax exemption and other sops extended to the salaried milled-class is observed, the number of beneficiaries, eligible as they earn less than Rs 5lakh, a total number of over 3 crore people shall be benefited.

Poor

Added to this, according to finance minister Piyush Goyal, a total number of 10 crore poor workers in the unorganised sector would be benefitted by the pension scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Shramyogi Mandhan Yojana.  As per the scheme, post-60 years of age, those working in the unorganised sector, from housemaids to scavengers, would get a pension of Rs3000 per month with only a contribution of Rs 100 a month.

All put together, the BJP government seems to have appealed to 25.5 crore voters who shall vote in the upcoming general elections.