Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Govt, Calls Finance Minister's Covid Relief Package 'Hoax'

Escalating his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Gandhi said no family can spend the “economic package” announced by the Finance Minister on their daily needs.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi | PTI File Image

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday dubbed the relief package announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to support the Indian economy in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic a “hoax”.

Escalating his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Gandhi said no family can spend the “economic package” announced by the Finance Minister on their daily needs.

“No family can spend FM's 'economic package' on their living/food/medicine/child's school fees. It's not a package, but another sham!” he said in a post tweeted in Hindi.

The Congress leader’s remarks came as Sitharaman earlier on Monday announced a relief package of over Rs six lakh 28 thousand crores.

Addressing a press conference, Sitharaman announced the Covid economic relief package for the sectors severely affected by the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.

Announcing a 1.1 lakh crore rupee loan guarantee scheme for the Covid-19 affected sectors, the Finance Minister said of them Rs 50 thousand crores will be for the health sector.

The scheme is aimed at upscaling medical infrastructure targeting unreserved areas.

Sitharaman said that the guarantee cover will be for expansion and new projects related to medical infrastructure in cities other than eight metropolitan cities.

The Finance Minister also announced 1.5 lakh crore rupees for the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) which was launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package in May 2020.

In another relief measure, Sitharaman announced Credit Guarantee Scheme to facilitate loans to 25 lakh people through Micro Finance Institutions (MFI).

Sitharaman announced financial support to more than 11,000 Registered Tourist Guides and Travel and Tourism Stakeholders. She also announced free tourist visas to five lakh tourists.