Sops for women, poor: Highlights of Modi's financial incentives in New Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of incentives to the poor, farmers, women and small businesses on Saturday in a special New Year's address.

The incentives come ahead of the government's annnual budget, expected some time in February, and before key a election in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in early 2017.

Following are some of the main incentives announced in his speech:

HOUSING

- The number of houses being built for the poor, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) programme in rural areas, to be raised by 33 percent.

- Loans of up to Rs 900,000  ($13,200) taken out in 2017