Government relief package in lockdown / for 80 crore poor 10 kg rice or wheat and 1 kg pulses free for next 3 months, free gas cylinders for poor women

New Delhi . The country has a 21-day lockdown to prevent coronavirus infection. During this time, the government has announced a big relief package to ensure that the common people, and especially the poor, do not suffer. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a second press conference in three days on Thursday. In it, he said that a package is ready for the workers and poor coming from other states. This package is worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore. It will be our endeavor that the poor living in villages and cities do not sleep hungry. Under this, the poor will be given 10 kg of free grain every month. Financial assistance will also be provided to the farmers. Announcements have also been made for women, elderly and employees.

Major announcements of the government
1. Free grain
relief to the poor : Till now every poor was getting 5 kg of wheat or rice every month. For the next three months, every poor will now get an additional 5 kg of wheat and rice. That means he will be able to get a total of 10 kg of wheat or rice. Along with this, 1 kg of lentils will also be available.
How many will benefit : 80 million poor people will get the benefit of this relief under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. 80 crore people i.e. two-thirds of the country’s population.

2. Medical insurance cover
relief to health workers: Realizing the important role of health workers of the country in dealing with coronavirus, the government has decided to give them a medical insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for the next three months.
How many benefit : There are 2.2 million health workers across the country. There are 12 lakh doctors.

3. Direct money in the accounts of farmers, women,
farmers : Under the direct cash transfer, help of Rs 8.69 crore will be provided. Its first installment to farmers will continue in the first week of April. Finance Minister Sitharaman said that 8.69 crore farmers will get the benefit.
Women : For the next three months, 500 rupees will be given to women Jan Dhan account holders. 200 million women will benefit from this.
Elderly, Divyang and Widows: For the next three months, Rs 1000 will be provided in two installments. Three crore people will benefit from it.
MNREGA : Wages raised from 182 to 202 rupees.

4. Government will give full contribution to EPF, 75% of the funds will be
relieved : Government will make full contribution of both employee and employer in Employee Provident Fund for 3 months. That is, the government will contribute the full 24% in EPF. The PF Fund Regulations will be amended. You can withdraw 75% of the deposited amount or whichever is less in 3 months salary.
Who in scope  : Institutions with less than 100 employees and employees with less than 15 thousand salary.
How many benefits : More than 8 million employees and 4 lakh institutions across the country.

5. Free cylinder

relief to women : The poor women who have got free gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme, they will get free gas cylinders for the next 3 months. 
How many benefit : 8.3 crore families living below the poverty line, whose women in the household have got gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme.

6. More debt to women support groups

Relief : Families associated with self-help women groups used to get collateral free loan of 10 lakhs from the bank, now they will get a loan of 20 lakh rupees.
How many benefit : 7 crore families.

7. Construction Sector 

3.5 crore registered workers associated with the construction sector, who are facing financial difficulties due to the lockdown, will be given help. 31000 crores for these. Is a fund of

On 24 March, Sitharaman made several announcements.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sitharaman held a press conference with the officials of the ministry on the current situation. He had said that there would be no charge for withdrawing money from any ATM for the next three months. The condition of keeping minimum balance in bank accounts has also been abolished. The date for filing income tax return and linking PAN-Aadhaar has also been extended till June 30.