Centre walks the talk on Covid-19: An account of how crores have benefited from PM’s Garib Kalyan package

New Delhi: In a bid to mitigate the impact of lockdown especially on the poor and under-privileged, the Centre had announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) to ensure that the weaker sections of the society have access to basic essentials and are not left out.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on March 26, announced a slew of measures for all segments of society including free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers.

Within 17-18 days, crores of beneficiaries have received the handouts as promised by the government. Senior officials of Finance & concerned ministries are closely monitoring the relief work, so as to ensure that it reaches the needy section swiftly.

A report card on PM’s Garib Kalyan Package

• More than 32 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 29,352 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

• 5.29 Crore beneficiaries distributed free ration of food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana

• 97.8 Lakh free Ujjwala cylinders delivered

• 2.1 Lakh members of EPFO taken benefit of online withdrawal of non-refundable advance from EPFO account amounting to Rs 510crore

• First installment of PM-KISAN :Rs14,946 crore transferred to 7.47 crore farmers

• Rs 9930 crore disbursed to 19.86 crore to Women Jan Dhan account holders

• Rs 1400 crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons

• 2.17 crore Building & Construction workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3071 crore.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana :

As on 13th April, 2020, 32.32 crore beneficiaries have been directly given cash support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) amounting to Rs 29,352 crore under the package.

So far 20.11 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 31 States/UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April. 2.65 lakh MT has been distributed by 16 States/UT to 5.29Crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 Crore Ration cards as April 2020 entitlement.3985 MT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs.

Free Gas Cylinders to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries:-

Total 1.39 Cr cylinders have been booked under this PMUY scheme so far and 97.8 Lakh PMUY free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries.

Non refundable advance of 75% of outstanding balance or 3 months’ wages, whichever is lower allowed to the members EPFO:-

2.1 lakh members of EPFO have availed online withdrawal of Rs. 510 crores so far.

EPF contribution for 3 months-

Payment of 24 % of Wages as contribution to EPFO members drawing wages below Rs 15000 per months in establishment up to 100 workers.

An amount of Rs.1000 crorehas 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. FAQ put on the website.

MNREGA:-

Increased rate has been notified w.e.f 01-04-2020.In the current financial year, 19.56 lakh person’s man-days of work generated. Further, Rs 7100 crore released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage and material.

Insurance Scheme for health workers in Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres :

The Scheme has been operationalised by New India Assurance covering 22.12 Lakh health workers.
Support to Farmers :

Of the total disbursement, Rs 14,946crore has gone towards payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the scheme, nearly 7.47crore out of the 8 crore identified beneficiaries got ₹2,000 directly in their account.

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 19.86 crore women Jan Dhan account holders received ₹500 each in their account. As on 13th April,2020, the total disbursement under the head was ₹9,930 crore.

Support to old age persons, widows and disabled persons

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) disbursed about ₹1,400 crore 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.
Support to Building & other Construction workers:

As many as 2.17crore Building & construction workers received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers’ Fund managed by state governments. Under this Rs 3,071 crore were given to beneficiaries.