New Delhi, March 26
The government today announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package called “PM Garib Kalyan Scheme” to help the country’s most vulnerable sections of the population tide over the economic turmoil caused by the Covid-induced 21-day countrywide lockdown.
“At this moment we are reaching out to the poorest of poor. We will obviously think about the other things too,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman when asked when will the government address the middle class’ demands for EMI and loan waiver. The industry too has sought a resuscitation package of lower interest rates, easy credit and sustained governmental spending on infrastructure. Providing details at a press conference along with Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur who provided a running translation in Hindi, Sitharaman said today’s announcement covered cash transfers and food security. Besides, the government announced a medical insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh per person in order to bolster sentiments of safety and security among frontline health staff and their families. Although there have been persistent demands from civil aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors for immediate relief and a moratorium on EMI payments since many have been rendered unemployed, Sitharaman sought to keep the focus of the conference on food security and cash transfers to the vulnerable. “We have to first reach food to the poorest of the poor and reach money to those who need it immediately. That is why we have even extended cooking gas for free to help those who get grains but may not have the means for buying the fuel. At this point, we are looking at PM Garib Kalyan Yojna so that the poor don’t starve for food. As things develop, we will come back,” she said when asked about relief from EMI payments and a package for the worst-hit economic sectors.
“We will come back when something is ready,” she observed when asked for a second time on the issue. The announcements cover 80 crore people, and women will benefit several times over from money in Jan Dhan accounts, free gas cylinders, enhanced loan limit for women self-help groups and MNREGA.
The measures announced today also include instructions to states on spending Rs 31,000 crore in the Construction Workers Fund as well as drawing on the district mineral fund about which no ready figures are available. The package leaves several unanswered questions, especially about the raising of resources to fund the non-budgeted announcement, which the government is likely to announce later. — TNS
Package to soften lockdown blow
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
1
3
7