NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday announced an economic package of ₹1.7 trillion for migrant workers, urban and rural poor hit by the Covid-19 lockdown.
The fund will be available though the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Scheme. “We don’t want anyone to remain hungry. We will take care of protein requirements of the poor and give money in their hands through direct benefit transfer," finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Sitharaman said all those at the frontline of fighting the Covid-19 outbreak such as doctors, Asha workers, paramedics, sanitation workers, nurses will be provided medical insurance cover of ₹50 lakh per person.