By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Using the digital payment infrastructure , more than 33crore poor people have been directly given financial assistance of Rs 31,235 crore( as on 22nd April,2020)under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) announced by Union Finance Minister SmtNirmalaSitharaman on 26th March,2020 to protect them from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID 19.
As part of the PMGKP, the Government announced free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers. The swift implementation of the package is being continuously monitored by Central and State governments. Finance Ministry, the concerned Ministries, Cabinet Secretariat and PMO are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the relief measures reach the needy swiftly and in line with the intent of the lock down.
More than 33 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 31,235 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. Rs 10,025 crore disbursed to 20.05 crore to Women Jan Dhan account holders. Rs 1405 crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons. First instalment of PM-KISAN :Rs 16,146 crore transferred to 8 crore farmers
. Rs 162 crore transferred in 68,775 establishments as EPF contribution , benefitting 10.6 lakh employees. 2.17 crore Building; Construction workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3497 crore
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana 39.27 crore beneficiaries distributed free ration of food grains. 1,09,227 MT of Pulses; dispatched to various States/UTs. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana : 2.66 crore free Ujjwala cylinders delivered. So far 40.03 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 36 States/UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April. 19.63 lakh MT has been distributed by 31 States/UT to 39.27crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 Crore Ration cards as April 2020 entitlement.
1,09,227 MT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs.Free Gas Cylinders to Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana beneficiaries:-Total 3.05crore cylinders have been booked under this PMUY scheme so far and 2.66 crorePMUY free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries. Nonrefundable advance of 75% of outstanding balance or 3 months’ wages, whichever is lower allowed to the members EPFO:-6.06 lakh members of EPFOhave availed online withdrawal of Rs. 1954 croreso 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. FAQshas been put on the website.
A total of 10.6 lakh employees have benefitted so far and a total of Rs. 162.11 crore has been transferred in 68,775 establishments.Increased rate has been notified w.e.f 01-04-2020.In the current financial year, 1.27croreperson’s man-days of work generated. Further, Rs 7300 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.
Of the total disbursement, Rs 16,146crore has gone towards payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the scheme, all8crore out of the 8 crore identified beneficiaries got ₹2,000 directly in their account.As large number of household in India are largely managed by the women, under the package, as many as 20.05crore women Jan Dhan account holders received ₹500 each in their account. As on 22nd April,2020, the total disbursement under the head was ₹10,025crore.
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)disbursed about ₹1,405crore 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.As many as 2.17croreBuilding &construction workers received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers’ Fund managed by state governments. Under this Rs 3,497crore has been given to beneficiaries.
