(Image source from: indiatvnews.com)

While the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman did address the nation a few days back announcing some of the tax and finance related extensions and lenience, she also hinted about the relief packages which were being worked on.

In another press conference that was conducted on March 26, 2020 at 1:00 PM, the finance minister announced a relief package amounting to INR 1.7 lakh crore for the country during this time of crisis.

During the press conference, Sitharaman started by saying, “Govt is working to help those affected, especially migrant workers. We have come with a welfare package to help poor and the ones who need immediate help.”

She also announced an insurance cover of INR 50 lakhs for all the frontline health workers who are consistently risking their lives to save others.

Sitharaman further stated saying, “No one will go hungry. The PM Gareeb Kalyan Scheme package is worth Rs 1.7 lakh crore.”

Adding to that, she also sanctioned 5 kg of free rice and wheat to the people who are in need of it. A sum of INR 2000 is going to be transferred to the farmers immediately on the first week of April to help sustain their lives.

Sitharaman also sanctioned 5 kg rice or 5 kg wheat per person along with 1 kg of pulses per household for the coming 3 months to ensure that nobody is affected by hunger.

She further addressed saying, “Women Jan Dhan account holders will receive Rs 500 in their accounts so that they can take care of their households. This will happen for the next 3 months.”

The women under the Ujjwala Scheme will be given free cylinders for the coming 3 months. It is expected to benefit over 8.3 crore BPL families.

Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, the loan amount of 20 lakhs will be doubled for better needs.

The Government is also going to be paying the EPF amount under the PM Gareeb Kalyan from the end of the employee and the employer for the coming 3 months. This is only eligible for the organisations that have a maximum of 100 employees wherein 90% of them have a wage under INR 15,000 per month. This will help 4.3 crore individuals across the country.

The relief package is definitely a lot more beneficial than what the country has been looking forward to, especially during this time of crisis.

By Somapika Dutta