Govt announces 1.7 Lakh crore package for the poor amid Coronavirus pandemic

 

The Union Government today announced a mega relief package of one lakh 70 thousand crore rupees for the poor who need immediate help in the wake of COVID-19 like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said they have come up with Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan scheme to help the migrant workers and poor people.

 

Nirmala Sitharaman also announced insurance cover of 50 lakh rupees per person for three months for COVID-19 warriors who are exposing themselves to the virus. They include doctors, paramedics, healthcare workers, sanitation workers, ASHA workers dealing with coronavirus outbreak.

 

The Finance Minister elaborated that 5 kilo rice or wheat will be given for the next three months for free in addition to the 5 kilos already being given to 80 crore people. She said that additionally, one kilo of preferred pulses will also be given per family for free.