Budget 2017: 12 things from Jaitley's speech that will benefit 'Aam Aadmi'

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley budget speech brought a big cheer to common man.

New Delhi, Feb 1: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday the Union Budget for 2017-18 will push growth, promote digital economy and bring transparency in political funding.

Here are the highlights:

• To bring 1 crore households out of poverty by 2019
• The government proposes to complete 1 crore houses for those who live in Kache houses
• National Housing Bank (NHB) will refinance individual housing loans of about Rs 20,000 crore
• Two AIIMS will be set up in Jharkhand and Gujarat
• Aadhaar-based smartcards will be issued to senior citizens to monitor health
• LIC scheme for senior citizens with guaranteed 8 per cent return
• Service charge on e-tickets booked through IRCTC to be withdrawn
• Existing rate of tax for individuals between Rs. 2.5- Rs 5 lakh reduced to 5% from 10%
• Passports will be issued directly from the main post office
• National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct Engineering and medical entrance examinations
• Two new schemes (bonus scheme & cashback scheme) set to launch for BHIM app
• Rs 6,000 aid for pregnant women on hospitalisation