Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package for the poor and migrant workers to tackle the impact the coronavirus pandemic. The relief package has been named as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Under the scheme, cash transfer to be made through direct benefit transfer. Eight categories will be given the benefit. "There will be Rs 50 lakh insurance per health care worker as a medical insurance cover for them for three months. Hopefully, we would be able to contain the virus in this period," Sitharaman said. For next three months, 80 crore poor people will be covered under the scheme. This is roughly 2/3rd of India’s population. In addition to already allotted 5Kg of rice/wheat per person, an additional 5kg will also be distributed. Additional 1 kg pulse will be given, the Finance Minister announced. 8.69 crore farmers to be immediately benefited through Direct cash transfers. Instalment of Rs 2000 in the first week of April will be transferred, Sitharaman said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package for the poor and migrant workers to tackle the impact the coronavirus pandemic. The relief package has been named as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Under the scheme, cash transfer to be made through direct benefit transfer. Eight categories will be given the benefit. "There will be Rs 50 lakh insurance per health care worker as a medical insurance cover for them for three months. Hopefully, we would be able to contain the virus in this period," Sitharaman said. For next three months, 80 crore poor people will be covered under the scheme. This is roughly 2/3rd of India’s population. In addition to already allotted 5Kg of rice/wheat per person, an additional 5kg will also be distributed. Additional 1 kg pulse will be given, the Finance Minister announced. 8.69 crore farmers to be immediately benefited through Direct cash transfers. Instalment of Rs 2000 in the first week of April will be transferred, Sitharaman said.