Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana: FM Unveils Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore Package. Who All Will Benefit?

New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several economic measures on Thursday to mitigate the hardship of the Indians struggling with the 21-day lockdown to fight the novel coronavirus.

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The finance minister announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana of Rs 1 lakh 70 thousand crore rupees. “No one will be hungry. No one will be without money,” the minister said. Under Pradhan Mantri Anna Yojana, about 80 crore families will get 5 kg rice and wheat for the coming three months for free. “All benefits will be credited to your account. There will be no middlemen,” Sitharaman said.

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All health workers will be brought under a life insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh each.

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Here is a complete break down of what all have been announced

Farmers: Farmers get Rs 6,000 rupees annually. Out of it, Rs 2,000 will be given to them immediately — in April

MNREGA: Wages will be hiked from Rs 182 to Rs 202

Poor Widows, poor pensioners, poor divyang: Ex Gratia of Rs 1,000 in two installments.

Jan Dhan Yojana women account holders: Rs 500 for three months

Women Under Ujjwala scheme: Free cylinders for three months

Women Self Help groups: Rs 20 lakh collateral-free loans

Organised sector: Workers can draw up to 75% of their EPF or their three months’ wages, whichever is lower. The government will regulate the provident fund scheme. If any company has up to 100 employees and 90% of them earn lesser than Rs 15,000 per month, the government will pay 24% of EPF contribution for the coming three months.

Construction workers: States will be asked to use welfare funds to help construction workers.

District mineral fund: States will be used this fund to supplement and augment all kind of medical testing and screening activities.

Talking about industries and EMI payers, the finance minister said that the focus of the government is on the poorest of the poor. “Will take up the issue of others later. We wanted to ensure money and food for those who are the worst hit of the lockdown,” the FM said.