Nirmala Sitharaman announces free ration for migrant workers; schemes for farmers, middle-class people too

Sitharaman, who was providing the second tranche of the Narendra Modi government's mega stimulus of Rs. 20 lakh crore economic package, said the government will bear the expense of Rs. 3,500 crore in providing free food grains for the migrant workers.

However, the identification of the migrants, implementation and distribution of the ration will be entirely carried out by the respective state governments which are run by diverse political parties of the country including Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Learning from the Covid-19 situation, the Modi government, in a bid to avoid the crisis related to migrant workers in future, announced through Sitharaman "One Nation One Ration Card" system.

Under this, one can avail his ration using the same card at any part of the country. The migrant worker being in any part of the country can draw a portion of the ration if the other rest was drawn by his family members residing in other cities.

Besides food, the central government in an attempt to provide shelter to the migrant workers, who work in various parts of the country, will launch a scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Under the scheme, the government will convert government-funded housing in the cities into rental housing complexes under PPP mode to provide shelters to the migrant workers.

Sitharaman also said her government has permitted all states governments to utilise State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for providing shelter to the migrant workers.

Relief For Farmers

Farmers found a place in Modi's mega economic package, which the government claims will help India to become "Aatmanirbhar" or self-reliant, as Sitharaman said three crore farmers with agricultural loans of Rs. 4.22 lakhs crore availed the benefit of three months loan moratorium.

The government has extended the incentives on crop loans, which was due from Mar 1, till May 31.

Besides the government has announced Rs 30,000 crores Additional Emergency Working Capital Funding through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to benefit around three crore farmers.

Relief For Street Vendors

Sitharaman announced her government will launch a special scheme worth Rs. 5,000 crore within a month to credit to 50 lakh street vendors.

However, only street vendors with an initial working capital up to Rs. 10,000 can avail the benefit under the scheme.

Relief For Middle Income Group People

The government has extended Credit Link Subsidy scheme, which was about to expire in March 2020, by a year till March 2021.

Sitharaman and her junior minister Anurag Thakur said the scheme will benefit 2.5 lakh middle class people with an annual income between Rs. 6 to 18 lakhs in the housing sector.

The FM said the scheme will create jobs and lead to an investment of over Rs. 70,000 crores in the housing sector.

Reactions

Though political activist and Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav appreciated the government's response towards the migrant workers, he accused the Centre of doing nothing for the farmers besides taking a dig at Sitharaman for her understanding of "poverty line".

"Finally, after 50 days of constant pleading, the Govt accepts that 8 crore migrants who don't have ration cards need to be given ration! Welcome decision. But can's help asking: What prevented this decision so long? Who is responsible for the hunger and misery for this period?," Yadav tweeted.

He added, "In the middle of her press conference, FM talks about people with annual income of Rs. 6-18 lakh. Says they may be "a little above poverty line"!! Does the Finance Minister of India know what is poverty line in India? (About Rs. 60 thousand annual !) "

Yadav further tweeted, "Once again, farmers come empty handed from another package: * No compensation for loss of vegetable, fruit, milk, poultry during lockdown * No support for price loss, non realisation of MSP * No concession on diesel price * No subsidy on seeds, fertilisers Only more loans!"

Congress, the country's main opposition party, is however not satisfied by the announcements even on the second day of the three-day long press conference by Sitharaman.

Taking a dig at the FM, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala called the announcement "Jumla Package" or one which is devoid of any substance.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien took a dig at Sitharaman tweeting, "Today : Power (no) Point presentation. Reminder: 21 day lockdown at 4 hours notice."

(Images: UNI, BJP Twitter)