Coronavirus: Nirmala Sitharaman announces Rs 1,70,000 crore relief package for urban, rural poor

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday put out a complete economic package to cope with the effect of coronavirus.

“The government has been working to reach out to women, migrant workers, and the disadvantaged section of the society. We have come out with a package that will address concerns of these people. We are looking at two aspects: Cash transfer and food security related measures,” Sitharaman said.

“We don’t want anyone to remain hungry, or without money. So we will be giving enough,” she added putting out Rs 1,70,000 crore relief package.

Nirmala Sitharaman also thanked all those ‘frontline warriors’ who are attending to patients infected with Covid19.

“They could be ASHA workers, nurses, doctors. They are being referred to as ‘God in white costumes’. For them, we are providing an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh per person,” said Sitharaman.

Previously, the Finance Minister had stated that a package is under work and will be presented.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously set up a task force headed by the Finance Minister to work out package for economy hit by Covid-19 and reeling under a lockdown.

The lockdown means that India won’t meet its five per cent growth target this year, it also means that India will fail to hit its 10% nominal growth target on 2020-21.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 649, which included 593 active cases. And 42 people who have recovered, Health Ministry stated.

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