Relief for migrants, urban poor announced in second leg of stimulus

As part of the second tranche of the Centre’s economic package of ₹20 lakh crore, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (May 14) announced a slew of relief measures meant for migrant labourers, urban poor, street vendors and lower middle class families.

With the Opposition going hammer and tongs on Wednesday (May 13) against the Centre for not announcing relief measures for thousands of migrant workers rendered jobless across the country, in its first tranche of stimulus announcement, Sitharaman clarified that the government has been giving them money and is aware of the hardships they are facing.

She said while ₹11 crore was sent to State Disaster Response Funds for migrant labourers, three hygienic meals a day are being provided to those housed in shelter homes in urban areas.

Sitharaman said the stimulus package will include free foodgrains for an estimated 8 crore migrant workers for next two months at a cost of ₹3,500 crore.

Under the plan, 8 crore migrant workers who do not have either central or state PDS card, will get 5 kg of grains (rice or wheat) per person and 1 kg of chana for two months.

Also, PDS ration cards will be made portable, allowing migrant workers to use their ration cards across states, she said adding this would benefit 67 crore beneficiaries or 83 per cent of PDS beneficiaries, in 23 states by August. By March 2021, 100 per cent coverage under One Nation One Ration Card will be done, she added.

The finance minister announced special credit of ₹5,000 crore for 50 lakh street vendors who have incurred losses due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

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