Yesterday, Sitharaman had given details of the second tranche of the economic package and had said that it will benefit migrants, small farmers, street vendors and small traders. A slew of measures was announced which included the delivery of free food grains to all migrant workers for two months.
Even for those who did not have a ration card, the government planned to give 5 kg of wheat/rice per person and 1 kg chana per family/ month for 2 months.
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She had also announced the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ (ONORC)' scheme, which will help migrants access ration under Public Distribution System (PDS) from any fair price shop across the country. For farmers, the government provided Rs 2 lakh crore of concessional credit through Kisan Credit Cards.
Also for post-harvest (Rabi) and current Kharif crop requirements in May and June, NABARD will provide Rs 30,000 crore additional emergency working capital funding for farmers through rural cooperative banks and regional rural banks.
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She also announced the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for middle-income groups to buy affordable housing units will be extended till March 31, 2021. The scheme was last extended till March 2020.
The Prime Minister had announced an economic package of Rs 20 Lakh crore during his address to the nation on Tuesday. So far the finance minister has held two press briefing giving details regarding the allotment of the package and the sectors to which the money will be disbursed.
In the first press briefing, the Finance minister had announced a 25 percent reduction in TDS/TCS for the non-salaried specified payments made to residents.