Nirmala Sitharaman brings packages for health workers, farmers and poor people

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a mega package of Rs. 1,70,000 crore under "Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Scheme" to support health workers, poor people, farmers, women and other marginalised sectors as the country is in lockdown mode to combat COVID-19.

Sitharaman has also announced an insurance for all health workers "who are fighting from the front line" to combat COVID-19. Each health worker will get an insurance of Rs. 50 lakh for the next three months.

Sitharaman said eight lakh farmers will get Rs. 2,000 to their bank accounts. She has also declared a wage increase from Rs.182 to Rs. 202 for all MNREGA workers.  One-time ex-gratia of additional Rs. 1000 will be given to poor senior citizens who are widowed and disabled.

"Women Jan Dhan account holders will be getting an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 500 per month for the next three months. This will benefit 20 crore women," said Sitharaman.

Nearly eight crore BPL families who avail Ujjwala scheme will get free gas cylinders for the next three months. This is expected to benefit 8.3 crore BPL families.

 #PradhanMantriGareebKalyanYojana #ReliefPackage to Old aged persons, widows & Divyang :

An additional one time ex-gratia amount of ₹1,000 in two installments over next 3 months through DBT; to benefit 3 crore such beneficiaries.  

Announcement for organised sector

Sitharaman said, "Govt of India will pay the EPF contribution of both of the employer and employee (24 per cent together) for the next three months so that nobody suffers. This is for all companies which have up to 100 employees with 90 per cent of them drawing less than Rs. 15,000 as salaries each."

"The EPF scheme regulations will be amended to allow workers to draw non-refundable advance of 75% from credit in PF a/c or three months' salary, whichever is lower. This will benefit 4.8 crore who are registered with the EPF," she said.

Announcement for construction workers

For construction workers, Sitharaman wanted the state government to utilise the welfare fund of Rs. 31,000 for building and construction workers. She said, "We intend to give direction to the state governments to protect the construction workers from any economic disruptions."

#PradhanMantriGareebKalyanYojana #ReliefPackage to women #JanDhan account holders:

An ex gratia amount of ₹500/month for next 3 months; to benefit 20 crore women

"Due to the lockdown, many building and construction workers are at home. So they may be feeling the economic disruption. So I want the state government to utilise the welfare fund of Rs. 31,000 crore for building and construction workers to help them," Sitharaman said.

Announcement for Mineral Fund

State governments are requested to utilise the District Mineral Fund for medical activities and testing activities so that the health attention will not suffer.