COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RELIEF PACKAGES ANNOUNCED BY GOVERNMENT - A BRIEF SUMMARY APRIL,2020 - Indo ...

COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
RELIEF PACKAGES
ANNOUNCED BY
GOVERNMENT
A BRIEF SUMMARY
APRIL,2020

Compiled By: Mr K.C. Sahu, Ms Arpita
Macwan, Mr G. Edwin

RELIEF PACKAGES FROM STATE GOVERNMENTS

  MADHYA PRADESH:
  Chief Minister announced the following statements and orders for the general public facility as the time of
  emergency –
  1. Beneficiaries of social security pension scheme, widow pension, old-age pension and destitute pension
      schemes will get two months' pension in advance.
  2. Labourers in the unorganized sector will be given financial assistance of Rs 1,000 each through the
      Sannirman Karmkar Mandal.
  3. INR 2000 advance to be given to the major tribal community of Madhya Pradesh as Aid - Sahariya, Baiga
      and Bhariya Tribes directly to their Bank Accounts.
  4. All the expenses of treatment for COVID-19, is free under state/central government medical facilities,
      whereas any expenses occurred under any private medical facility would be reimbursed through Ayushman
      Bharat Scheme, as such.
  5. Under the “Panch Parmeshwar Funds”, PRI have been instructed to provide food and shelter to the people
      in need at village level, or coming from outside in the village. INR 30,000 was been parked for the facility of
      shelters and food whereas 2.5% to be invested in cleanliness drives and supply of precautive goods needed
      at villages level.
  6. Families coming under the National Food Security Schemes will be given one-month ration free.
  7. Primary & Middle School Students will be provided direct fund transfers for Mid-Day Meal.
  8. SHGs to provide ready to eat meals for children between 3-6 years on a weekly basis
  9. Provision of food (wheat and rice) to people in isolation, homeless persons, and people left destitute
      because of the lockdown free of cost. Door-to-door delivery facilitated.

GUJARAT:
      1. Gujarat has made an important decision, that poor families holding ration cards, will get food items,
         including 3.5 kg wheat and 1.5 kg rice per person, and 1 kg of pulses, sugar and salt per family free of
         cost from April 2020 to ensure they do not face hurdles during the lockdown.
      2. Officers from other departments such as food and civil supplies, police, transportation, science and
         technology, urban development, panchayat and industries are also on their toes 24×7. A nodal officer for
         each department has been appointed.
      3. The State Government has initiated “Vadil Vandana” – a program to provide free of cost meals to the
         elderly and the aged living alone in the metropolis of the state.

  MAHARASHTRA

    1.    The government has passed resolution to open schools as shelters for homeless.
   2.    The Municipal Corporation has agreed to provide water for homeless people.
    3.    One-month ration to be provided free of cost
    4.    Cost of Mid-Day Meal to be deposited in the accounts of students (primary and upper primary)
    5.    Free treatment for any COVID-19 positive individual. Payment according to Ayushman Bharat norms
    6.    Panchayat fund to be used for provision of food and shelter to families in need.
    7.    Reduction of price of Shiv Bhojan Thali from ₹10 to ₹5, w.e.f 1st April and to be implemented by the
          District Magistrates

WEST BENGAL

   1. An emergency relief fund of 200 crore has been created by West Bengal Government for mobilizing additional
      resources to cope up with the COVID-19 situation and to provide immediate relief. The purpose of this fund
      includes:
           a. To provide relief to the people affected by the emergency situations
           b. To assist the State Government for creation/up gradation of infrastructure and other logistics to cope
              with the emergency
           c. To provide funds for transportation and rehabilitation for persons affected by the emergency
           d. To provide fund for mass awareness among the public about the emergency and ways to prevent it
           e. To provide funds for R&D/ development of newer methods / techniques for affectively coping with
              the emergency.
           f. Any other aspects related to prevention and control of situation arising out of emergency
   2. Free food grains and ration under the Public Distribution System to all for the next six months. Free
      allotments of rations in the homeless shelters.
   3. AAY, SPHH, PHH and RKSY-1 category of ration card holders to get free rations from 1st April to 30th
      September.
   4. RKSY-2 to get rice at 13/kg and wheat at 9/kg.

DELHI

   1.     PDS beneficiaries in Delhi will get free and increased of 50% rations per person from fair price shops.
   2.     7.5 kg free ration per beneficiaries for one month
   3.     Free lunch & dinner provided at all 234 nights shelters in 272 wards and also in 35 community halls.
   4.     To ensure that the government’s free meal scheme is equitably accessible to the needy across the city due
          to movement restriction, the Service Centre is extended to 325 schools.
   5.     Cash support of Rs 5,000 to all daily wage labourers and construction workers affected due to the
          lockdown.
   6.     Pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly doubled for the month in a bid to alleviate the problems
          being faced by the underprivileged sections of the society because of the restrictions imposed to curb the
          spread of coronavirus.
   7.     Doubled pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly for March, 2020.
   8.     Those without ration cards will also get free food.
   9.     A decision has also been taken to waive GST for people who are opting to stay in quarantine facilities in
          hotels.
   10.    Establishment of hunger helpline
   11.    56 govt schools are designated hunger Relief Centre’s, foods are provided through midday meal vendors
          from 11am - 5:30pm
   12.    Jan Aahar menu, max price capped at ₹20.

  JHARKHAND

         1. Full wage payment for lockdown period to registered daily wage workers.
         2. Biometric authentication for ration distribution suspended. OTP and mobile numbers to be used
            instead.
         3. Advance distribution of ration for April and May.
         4. Families with pending applications for ration cards will also be provided 10 kg of rice at Rs. 1/kg of
            rice procured from local market.

UTTAR PRADESH

   1.    Labour welfare Department for Daily wages worker Rs. 300-400/- for Daily Ration (Disaster response
         relief Fund)
   2.    Labour welfare Department DBT for Labours Rs. 1000/- per month to registered labours from “Labourers
         cess Fund”.
   3.    Women and Social Welfare Departments Advance pension payments of all schemes (old age, widow,
         disable Empowerment).
   4.    Labour welfare Department and DUDA for Rickshaw pullers, Street vendors, other labours and
         unemployed People Rs. 1000/- per month,
   5.    Support to senior citizen and Widow an amount of Rs. 1000/- month.

BIHAR

   1.    Agricultural farmers will also get Rs. 4000 in their account.
   2.    Homeless people will be provided shelter and at least 2 times a day nutritious meal.
   3.    Free medicines and other toiletry items will also be provided to shelter homes.
   4.    Soap and other toiletry items will be provided to people living in slum areas apart from ration.
   5.    Community kitchen will be started shortly in all the slum areas and in rain baseras locations.
   6.    House owners are not to take rent till 3 months from tenant as most of people became jobless.
   7.    SHG groups will also get loan with zero interest from banks.
   8.    Those who have taken any domestic loan 3 months EMI will not been taken by credit institution particularly
         banks.
   9.    Tax for Nagar Nigam has been suspended till the situation become normal.
   10.   Assistance of Rs 1000 to the families holding a ration card through DBT for the lockdown period.
   11.   100 Crores fund for relief, shelters and healthcare for stranded migrants. Helpline has also been set up.
   12.   Screening, testing, food and healthcare is being provided to migrants returning to Bihar.
   13.   Additional relief Centre’s to be opened where needed with provision for food, healthcare and shelter.

CHHATTISGARH

  1.     Primary and middle schools will provide dry ration to children. 4 kg rice and 0.8 kg pulses for middle school
         students; 6 kg rice and 1.2 kg pulses for primary school students.
  2.     Rice for two months to be provided in April to all ration card holders. Antyodaya & Annapurna ration card
         holders to get sugar & salt for two months in April.
  3.     Electricity      meter      reading        /     billing    to     be      stopped      till   March       31st
         i. Half rate on electricity rates for two months under the "Half Rate Scheme".
         ii.     Health    workers     to      be     given     a   special    allowance    (details   not     defined).
         iii. Licenses granted to two distilleries to make alcohol for Hand Sanitizers.
  4.     Keep adequate shelf of works ready to provide employment immediately on demand. Guidelines for
         precautions to be taken at the worksite to prevent the spread of COVID-19 detailed.
  5.     Distribution of food packets to destitute families identified by the district administration with support from
         charitable groups and NGOs.
  6.     Panchayat to identify needy families and distribute dry rations from PDS.
  7.     Agriculture and allied industries to be treated as essential service.
  8.     Social welfare related departments and medical services to remain open with minimal staff.

HARYANA

   1.        All BPL families shall be provided their monthly rations for the month of April free of cost. This will include
             rice or wheat as per their entitlement, mustard oil and 1 kg sugar.
   2.        All schoolchildren enrolled in Government schools and all children in Anganwadis shall be provided dry
             rations for the period the schools and Anganwadis are closed.
   3.        Beneficiaries registered under Mukhyamantri Parivar Samriddhi Yojana (MMPSY) are being provided Rs
             4000/- with contributions to the different insurance and pension schemes.
   4.        Those who have been registered with the Haryana Building and Other Construction Worker's Welfare
             Board but have not registered under MMPSY shall be provided a sum of Rs. 4500 per month on weekly
             basis starting 30th March through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT).
   5.        All BPL families who have not been registered under MMPSY shall be provided a sum of Rs. 4500/- per
             month (Rs. 1000/- on weekly basis) starting 30tr' March through DBT.
   6.        Poor persons who were earning on daily basis such as mazdoors, street vendors etc. may register with the
             Deputy Commissioner of the district on a portal that will be established by 27th March. Those found
             eligible and have a bank account will be directly provided an assistance of Rs. 1000/- per week.

 MEGHALAYA

        1. Rs 1000/Worker per Week from 23rd March to 29th March for building and other construction workers.
           Order to be reviewed on March 30th 2020
        2. Employees cannot be terminated or forced to go on leave even if the premises of work remain "Non-
           Operational".
        3. Workers / Employees must be paid full salaries / wages for the period of lockdown even if the worker
           takes leave in lieu of the COVID-19 outbreak he/she shall be deemed to be on duty.

 ASSAM

        1.    . State govt will provide Mid-day meals to students in Guwahati at home during the lockdown.

TAMIL NADU

   1. All the ration card-holders would get ₹1000 and free rice, dal, cooking oil and sugar.
   2. Construction workers and autorickshaw drivers registered with the welfare board would get ₹1000, 15 kg
      of rice, 1 kg of dal and 1 kg of cooking oil.
   3. Doorstep delivery of food to the elderly. For platform vendors who have registered with the government,
      an additional ₹1000 will be given.
   4. Job-Card holders under MNREGA will get a two-day special salary

KERALA

   1.    Local Self Governments to start community kitchens at panchayat and municipality ward level
   2.    State had prioritized the procurement of paddy. Collectors would monitor harvesting activities using
         machines in the paddy growing districts. They would also ensure that the harvested grain stalks reached
         rice mills in time for processing.
   3.    Free provisions to all ration cardholders in the state. BPL cardholders would get an additional 35 kgs of rice
         free next month. Other cardholders including those above the poverty line (APL) and those holding non
         priority cards would get up to 15 kg of rice free.
   4.    Govt. would give free provision kits to those under home quarantine irrespective of their income status.
         The bags would comprise of rice, wheat, sugar, salt, edible oil, pulses and spices required for a week or
         month. The state has tasked the elected LSG representatives to ensure that subsidized rations reach the
         targeted homes.
   5.    Advance payment of pensions for the month of April.
   6.    Rs 2,000 crore as consumer loans to those impacted by Covid-19. Another Rs 2,000 crore will be distributed
         as village employment assurance programme for April and May.
   7.    Distribution of MNREGA wages to be completed by March 31st. Given the spread of COVID, Secretaries to
         initiate steps to distribute wages without asking MNREGA workers to come to the panchayat office.
   8.    One-month extension for the payment of water and electricity bills, and plans to launch restaurants which
         will provide meals at Rs 20.
   9.    Tax relief has been declared to auto-rickshaws and taxis and buses.
   10.   Local Self Governments in both urban and rural areas, to prioritize on rehabilitation of those sleeping on
         pavements as well as the destitute. LSGIs also to provide food and ensure personal hygiene and health
         services to this group.
   11.   The functioning of PHCs across the state to be extended up to 6 pm.
   12.   The services of youth volunteers to be made use of at the panchayat level in order to provide food,
         medicines and other necessities to homes in need of the same as well as for related services.
   13.   A minimum of ten volunteers to be trained and selected for this purpose in each panchayat, and training to
         be imparted by Health, Police and Fire & Rescue departments.
   14.   State will bring homeless persons and those who sleep rough on pavements and shop verandahs under its
         safety net.
   15.   The Kerala State Pharmaceutical Development Corporation could forego tender norms to procure the raw
         materials required for making hand sanitizers and other common medicines from the open market.
   16.   Panchayats are recognized an essential service during the lockdown. Horticorp are also made an essential
         service for the supply of vegetables and fruits.
   17.   Labour Commission with the help of District Collectors to look into the food and accommodation
         requirements of migrant laborer in the state. District Labour Officers to ensure the provision of food and
         accommodation by coordinating with the LSGs and officials from the health and district administration. The
         district administration will provide funds for this purpose from the district disaster management funds to
         the District Labour officers.

RAJASTHAN

         1. Door-to-door delivery of take-home rations by Anganwadi workers to children aged between 3
            to 6.
         2. Food packets will be delivered to the "needy" by charitable organizations and SHGs wherever
            possible. This will be for NFSA beneficiaries & those that are excluded. Packets will be made
            available at FPS and different public buildings.
         3. Payment of 2 months pension (total Rs 1500) to NSAP beneficiaries.
         4. One-time payments of Rs 1000 to construction workers and registered street vendors.
         5. 5 kg flour, 1/2 cooking oil, 1/2 kg salt, 1kg dal, 1kg rice free of cost to "needy".
         6. Rs. 1000 lumpsum aid to the needy families under 4 categories.:
         a) State BPL, Antyodaya;
         b) Registered Construction Workers;
         c) Street Vendors;
         d) Other laborers, rickshaw pullers, unaided and needy families. Identification and Disbursement
            is to be carried out by the District Authorities.

ODISHA:
   1. Doorstep deliveries of Take-Home Ration (THR) and ration for Hot Cooked Meal (HCR) from 1st April
      to 30th April by AWCs. Dry ration entitlement to be provided to pregnant and lactating mothers.
      Eggs will be distributed to HH every week.
   2. Provision of hot cooked meals and dry ready-to-eat meals at Rs. 60 per adult and Rs. 45 per child.
   3. ICDS and Mission Shakti functionaries to assist in the distribution of cooked food.
   4. Ration for 90 days (in addition to NFSA entitlement) to be provided in one go through FPS. Order
      details steps to be taken for staggered distribution.
   5. 3 months ration to be distributed between April 1st and 15th May. Distribution has been staggered
      over 45 days to prevent overcrowding.
   6. Home delivery of ration and pension in urban areas.
   7. Two free cooked meals/food packets a day to be provided to the urban homeless.
   8. Rs 3000 to each registered street vendors.
   9. Hot cooked food to sick and destitute in all Panchayats across the state.