Live Desk: To help the economy come out of the coronavirus shock, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package under Garib Kalyan Yojana that would largely benefit unorganised sector workers, especially daily wage workers, and urban and rural poor.

Sitharaman said 80 crore poor or two-third of population would get 5 kg rice or wheat free for the next three months.
Sitharaman also announced Rs 50 lakh per person as medical insurance for paramedics, ASHA workers and doctors.

The Finance Minister also said 8.69 crore farmers would be given Rs 2,000 immediately through direct cash transfer under the existing PM Kisaan Yojana.

An ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 in two installments over three months would be given to poor senior citizens over 60 years, widows and disabled.

Moreover, 20 crore women Jan Dhan Account holders will get Rs 500 per month for next three months to help them run their households. Besides, the government also doubled collateral-free loans to Rs 20 lakh for 63 lakh women self-help groups. The move will benefit 7 crore households.

A total of 678 people have been infected and 13 people died in India in the deadly disease.

Dhaka 26 March (campuslive24.com)//tr