New Delhi: Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting held on Wednesday took several key decisions for the revival of the economy and intern to help the poor people amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic which has led to huge income losses to many. ALSO READ | Pakistan Claims Kulbhushan Jadhav Refused To File Review Petition; Islamabad Grants Second Consular Access

Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, accompanied by Union agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar in a press conference this afternoon announced various decisions taken under various schemes for continuous support to the poor and needy.

Here Are The Key Decisions Taken By Union Cabinet

Rental Housing Scheme for Migrants:

After meeting with PM Modi, Cabinet announced that the it has approved development of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (AHRCs) for urban migrants or poor as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Under this scheme, 1.15 lakh more small flats having one bedroom- kitchen will be constructed in first phase. Moreover, dormitories will also be built which will house 1.35 lakh people with each dormitory accommodating six people. In total, 3.5 lakh people will be benefited. This will solve the problem of migrant workers not getting affordable houses on rent.

Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana: 

Cabinet approved extension of time limit for availing the benefits of "Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana" for Ujjwala beneficiaries by three months with effect from July 1, 2020.

According to the announcement, 7.4 crore women in India who have been getting free cylinders will now get the free cylinders till September end instead of till June. For this, an expenditure of about Rs 13,500 crore will be incurred.

Extension of EPF:

Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of EPF contribution 24% (12% employees share and 12% employers share) for another 3 months from June to August 2020 under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) or the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Centre has claimed that with total estimated expenditure of Rs.4,860 crore, the move will benefit over 72 lakh employees.

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Free Foodgrain Distribution Scheme:

In view of need for continuous support to the poor and needy, Cabinet on Wednesday approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. As per the latest development, additional foodgrain will allocated to the beneficiaries for further five months, i.e.from July to November, 2020.

Capital Infusion for Public Sector General Insurance Companies:

In a major relief for three Public Sector General Insurance Companies, Cabinet approved capital infusion of Rs 12,450 crore for Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, National Insurance Company Ltd and United India Insurance Company Ltd (including Rs 2500 cr infused in FY 2019-20).

Funds for Agricultural Infrastructure:

Cabinet has approved Rs 1 lakh crore agricultural-infrastructure fund which aims to bring in transformative change in India's agriculture sector. This will promote investment in farm sector, will reduce food wastage, help give the farmer the right value for their produce and will also create rural jobs in big number.