Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package : Progress so far

Central Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna, directed at bringing relief to the urban and rural poor, migrant workers and women in the bottom rung of the socio-economic strata.

Sitharaman also announced medical insurance of Rs 50 lakh each, for paramedics, nurses, ASHA workers and others working on the frontlines of fighting the COVID-19 across the country, which will benefit about 20 lakh people.

Here is the progress data as per the Finance ministry.

• More than 32crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs29,352crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package
• 5.29 Crore beneficiaries distributed free ration of food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan  Ann Yojana
• 97.8 Lakh free Ujjwala cylinders delivered
• 2.1 Lakh members of EPFO taken benefit of online withdrawal of non-refundable advance from EPFO account amounting toRs 510crore
• The First installment of PM-KISAN: Rs14,946crore transferred to 7.47crore farmers
• Rs 9930 crore disbursed to 19.86 crores to Women Jan Dhan account holders
• Rs 1400 crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows, and disabled persons
• 2.17crore Building & Construction workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3071 crore.

In order to ensure that weaker sections of the society continue to get the basic amenities and do not get impacted during the lock-down period due to COVID 19, Rs1.70 lakh crore Pradhan MantriGaribKalyanPackage (PMGKP) was announced by Union Finance Minister SmtNirmalaSitharaman on 26^th March 2020 to protect such people from the impact of the lockdown.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Government announced free food grains and cash payments 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.

Fintech and digital technology have been employed for swift and efficient transfer to the beneficiary. Direct benefit transfer, i.e. transfer that ensures that the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary, eliminates leakage and improves efficiency has been employed. This has also ensured credit to the beneficiary’s account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the branch.

As on 13^th April 2020, 32.32crore beneficiaries have been directly given cash support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)amounting to Rs29,352crore under the package.

Pradhan MantriGaribKalyanAnn Yojana :

So far 20.11 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 31 States/UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April. 2.65 lakh MT has been distributed by 16 States/UT to 5.29Crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 Crore Ration cards as April 2020 entitlement.3985 MT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs.

Free Gas Cylinders to Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana beneficiaries:-

Total 1.39 Cr cylinders have been booked under this PMUY scheme so far and 97.8 Lakh PMUY free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries.

Non-refundable advance of 75% of outstanding balance or 3 months’ wages, whichever is lower allowed to the members EPFO:-

2.1 lakh members of EPFOhave availed online withdrawal of Rs. 510 crores so 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 crore has 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. FAQ put on the website.

MNREGA:-

Increased rate has been notified w.e.f 01-04-2020.In the current financial year, 19.56 lakh person’s man-days of work generated. Further, Rs 7100 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 operationalized by New India Assurance covering 22.12 Lakh health workers.

Support to Farmers :

Of the total disbursement, Rs 14,946crore has gone towards payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the scheme, nearly 7.47crore out of the 8 crore identified beneficiaries got ₹2,000 directly in their account.

Support to PMJDY Women account holders:

As large number of household in India are largely managed by the women, under the package, as many as 19.86 crore women Jan Dhan account holders received ₹500 each in their account. As on 13th April 2020, the total disbursement under the head was ₹9,930 crore.

Support to old age persons, widows and disabled persons

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) disbursed about ₹1,400 crore 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.

Support to Building & other Construction workers:

As many as 2.17croreBuilding &construction workers received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers’ Fund managed by state governments. Under this Rs 3,071crore were given to beneficiaries.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

Total Direct Benefit Transfer till 13/04/2020