To combat the economic impact of the 21-day nationwide lockdown on the poor, the Narendra Modi government today announced a ₹1.7 lakh crore relief package under Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Yojana.

Making announcements for the same, finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam said, Ujjwala beneficiaries to get free cooking gas (LPG) cylinders in next three months under the package; which will benefit 8.3 crore BPL families.

Government will pay EPF contribution, both of employer and employee, for 3 months for all those establishments with less than 100 employees out of which 90% earn less than ₹15,000 per month.

Collateral-free loan has been doubled to ₹20 lakh to 63 lakh women self-help groups. The move will impact 7 crore households.

Women Jan Dhan account holders will receive Rs 500 in their accounts so that they can take care of their households. This will happen for the next 3 months.

Under cash transfers which is largely under DBT there are going to be 8 specific group of people who will be addressed. These include farmers, MGNREGA beneficiaries, poor widows, poor divyang, women having Jan Dhan Yojana accounts and women under Ujjwala yojana, women in SHGs, women under EPFO, construction workers.

The PF scheme regulations will be amended because of coronavirus to allow employees to draw non-refundable advance of 75% of amount standing to credit or 3 months wages, whichever is lower.

Rs 2,000 to be transferred to immediately in first week of April to farmers.

“Per person 5kg rice or 5kg wheat for free for 3 months; 1kg of pulse per household as per to regional preference”, said FM Sitharaman