NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 26
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an economic package of Rs 1.70 lakh crore on Thursday, focussing on the marginalised section, amid coronavirus lockdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Y8lx-A4wA&feature=youtu.be
Video Courtesy: DD News
The Minister announced that those under BPL will get an additional 5 kg foodgrain (rice or wheat) in addition to the existing 5 kg quota for the next three months under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).
“Each poor will get 5 kg grains per person per month for the next three months for free, one kg of pulses for each household for free. This will be over and above the current 5 kg they get under NFSA,” Sitharaman said.
Addressing the media on economic stimulus, the Finance Minister also said that 1 kg of preferred pulses will be give to the people for free every month for the next three months.
Cash transfers to poor under DBT
Farmers who get Rs 6,000 annually under PM-Kisan will get first installment of Rs 2,000 in addition which will be given immediately in the first week of April.
Poor widows poor pensioners and poor disabled will be given ex-gratia an additional amount of Rs 1000 over the next three months through Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.
3 crore people covered covered under Old Age, Divyang, and widow pensioners will be given one-time amount of additional Rs 1000 in two installments through DBT (hence no middlemen) over 3 months to be given
Increase in MNREGA wage to Rs 202 a day from Rs 182 to benefit 5 crore families.
20 crore women Jan Dhan Yojana account holders will get Rs 500 per month for the next three months.
Govt to pay EPF contribution for next 3 months
Government to pay EPF contribution both for employee and employer, 12 per cent each, for the next three months.
“Government of India will pay the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contribution, both of employer and employee, put together it will be 24%, this will be for next 3 months.This is for those establishments which have upto 100 employees and 90% of them earn less that of Rs.15,000,” Nirmala Seetharaman said.
Provident Fund schemes regulation to be amended to allow withdrawal of non-refundable advance of up to 75 per cent of the amount or three months’ wages (whichever is lower). The move will benefit 4.8 crores EPFO registered workers.
Rs. 50 lakh insurance cover for healthcare workers
Finanace Minister also announced a Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for healthcare workers who are at the forefront of dealing with coronavirus pandemic.
Ujjwala beneficiaries to get free cooking gas (LPG) cylinders in next three months; this will benefit 8.3 crore BPL families. Collateral-free loan doubled to Rs 20 lakh to 63 lakh women self-help groups; to impact 7 crore households.
Central Govt to request State Govts to use district mineral fund to augment medical testing and screening and providing health attention.
Welfare for building and construction workers, registered 3.5 crore workers to be benefited, Central Govt has given orders to State Govts to use fund (Rs 31,000 crore) to provide relief.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Finance Minister had announced a host of relief measures for people in the wake of the virus outbreak and lockdown hitting the economy, including extension of deadlines for filing of income tax and GST returns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a three-week complete lockdown of the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infections in the country. He had also constituted a task force headed by the Finance Minister to work out package for economy hit by coronavirus.
