Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on March 26 announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package to ensure that weaker sections of the society continue to get the basis amenities and do not get impacted during the lockdown period due to COVID 19.
Over 33 crore people received financial assistance of Rs 31,235 crore while 39.27 crore beneficiaries have received free ration of food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the government said on Thursday.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on March 26 announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package to ensure that weaker sections of the society continue to get the basic amenities and do not get impacted during the lockdown period due to COVID-19.
As part of the PMGKP, the government announced free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers. The swift implementation of the package is being continuously monitored by Central and State governments. Finance Ministry, the concerned Ministries, Cabinet Secretariat and PMO are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the relief measures reach the needy swiftly and in line with the intent of the lockdown, a press release by the Ministry of Finance said.
Fintech and digital technology have been employed for swift and efficient transfer to the beneficiary, the ministry said, adding that through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary. This has also ensured credit to the beneficiary’s account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the branch, the statement said.
Here is an update on the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana:
1. Support to PMJDY Women account holders:
As large number of household in India are largely managed by the women, under the package, as many as 20.05 crore women Jan Dhan account holders received Rs 500 each in their account. As on 22nd April 2020, the total disbursement under the head was Rs 10,025 crore.
2. Support to old age persons, widows and disabled persons:
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) disbursed about Rs 1,405crore to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons. Each beneficiary received an ex-gratia cash of Rs 500 under the scheme as the first instalment. Another instalment of Rs 500 each will be paid during next month.
3. Support to Building & other Construction workers:
As many as 2.17 crore building & construction workers received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers’ Fund managed by state governments. Under this Rs 3,497 crore has been given to beneficiaries.
4. Support to Farmers:
Of the total disbursement, Rs 16,146 crore has gone towards payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the scheme, all 8 crore out of the 8 crore identified beneficiaries got Rs 2,000 directly in their account.
5. Insurance Scheme for health workers
An insurance scheme has been operationalised by New India Assurance covering 22.12 lakh health workers in Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres.
6. MNREGA:
Increased rate has been notified w.e.f 01-04-2020.In the current financial year, 1.27croreperson’s man-days of work generated. Further, Rs 7300 crore released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage and material.
7. Provident Fund
Nonrefundable advance of 75% of outstanding balance or 3 months’ wages, whichever is lower allowed to the members EPFO
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6.06 lakh members of EPFO have availed online withdrawal of Rs 1954 crore so far.
EPF contribution for 3 months; Payment of 24% of wages as contribution to EPFO members drawing wages below Rs 15,000 per months in establishment up to 100 workers. An amount of Rs 1000 crore has already been released to EPFOfor the Scheme for the month of April, 2020.78.74 lakh beneficiaries and concerned establishments have been informed. A scheme to implement the announcement finalized.
A total of 10.6 lakh employees have benefitted so far and a total of Rs 162.11 crore has been transferred in 68,775 establishments.
8. Free Gas Cylinders
Total 3.05 crore cylinders have been booked under this PMUY scheme so far and 2.66 crore Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries.
9. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
So far 40.03 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 36 States/UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April. 19.63 lakh MT has been distributed by 31 States/UT to 39.27crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 Crore Ration cards as April 2020 entitlement. 1,09,227 MT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs.
10. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Summary
