First step in right direction: Rahul Gandhi praises Centre's mega package amid COVID-19 crisis
New Delhi/IBNS: In a rare occasion, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday praised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for unveiling a special package to support health workers, poor people and farmers as the country is in lockdown mode to stop the spreading of COVID-19.
Gandhi, a former Congress president, tweeted, "The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown."
The Govt announcement today of a financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown.#Corona
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 26, 2020
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday came out with a mega package of Rs. 1,70,000 crore under "Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Scheme".
Sitharaman announced an insurance for all health workers "who are fighting from the front line" to combat COVID-19.
Each health worker will get an insurance of Rs. 50 lakh for the next three months.
Announcing that all poor people will get five kg of wheat or rice and one kg of dal for free for the next three months, Sitharaman said, "We have taken the steps so that no one remains hungry."
Sitharaman said eight lakh farmers will get Rs. 2,000 to their bank accounts.
She has also announced a wage increase from Rs. 182 to Rs. 202 for all MNREGA workers.
One-time ex-gratia of additional Rs. 1000 will be given to poor senior citizens who are widowed and disabled.
"Women Jan Dhan account holders will be getting an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 500 per month for the next three months," said Sitharaman and added, "This will benefit 20 crore women."
Nearly eight crore BPL families who avail Ujjwala scheme will get free gas cylinders for the next three months. "This is expected to benefit 8.3 crore BPL families," said the Finance Minister.
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