Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), over 33 crore poor people have been directly given financial assistance of Rs 31,235 crore (as on 22nd April, 2020) by using the digital payment infrastructure.
What is PM Garib Kalyan Package or PMGKP?
The PM Garib Kalyan Package was declared by Union FM Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on 26th March, 2020 to protect the poor people from the Covid-19 lockdown impact. Under PMGKP, the Government has announced free food grains & cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers.
The Central & State governments are continuously monitoring the swift implementation of the package. Finance Ministry, the concerned Ministries, Cabinet Secretariat and PMO are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the relief measures are reaching the needy people swiftly and in line with the intent of the lockdown.
Fintech & digital technology are employed for swift & efficient transfer to the beneficiary. Direct Benefit Transfer or DBT, i.e. transfer that makes sure that the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary, eliminates leakage & improves efficiency has been employed. Adding to it, it has also ensured credit to the beneficiary’s account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the bank branch.
Complete Data of Financial Assistance Given to Beneficiaries (till 22ndApril 2020) under the PM Garib Kalyan Package:
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
Till now, 40.03 Lakh MT of food grains are lifted by 36 States or UTs out of 40 Lakh MT for April. 19.63 lakh MT is distributed by 31 States or UT to 39.27crore beneficiaries that are covered by 1.19 Crore Ration cards as April 2020 entitlement. Besides, 1,09,227 MT of Pulses are also dispatched to various states/UTs.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Beneficiaries
Total 3.05crore gas cylinders are booked under the PMUY scheme till now & around 2.66 crore PMUY free cylinders have already been delivered to beneficiaries.
Nonrefundable advance of 75% of outstanding balance or 3 months’ wages, whichever is lower allowed to the members EPFO:-
EPFO members have availed online withdrawal of Rs. 1954 crore. Till now, 6.06 lakh members of EPFO have availed online withdrawal of Rs. 1954 crore. EPF contribution for 3 months; Payment of 24 percent of Wages as contribution to EPFO members drawing wages below Rs 15000 per months in establishment up to 100 workers.
An amount of Rs.1000 crore has been released to EPFO for the Scheme for April month, around 2020.78.74 lakh beneficiaries & concerned establishments have been informed. Total 10.6 lakh employees are benefitted so far & a total of Rs. 162.11 crore has been transferred in 68,775 establishments.
MNREGA Scheme
An increased rate has been notified in MGNREGA w.e.f 01-04-2020. In the current financial year, 1.27crore person’s man-days of work have been generated. Rs 7300 crore has been released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage & material.
Insurance Scheme for health workers
The insurance Scheme for health workers in Government Hospitals & Health Care Centres has been operationalised by New India Assurance which is covering 22.12 Lakh health workers.
PM-Kisan Scheme
Out of the total disbursement, Rs 16,146 crore is provided for the payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the PM Kisan scheme, all the 8 crore identified beneficiaries got Rs 2,000 directly in their account.
PMJDY Women account holders
Under the PM Jan-Dhan package, around 20.05crore women Jan Dhan account holders received Rs 500 each in their account. The total disbursement under the head was Rs 10,025 crore.
Old age persons, widows and disabled persons
The National Social Assistance Programme or NSAP has disbursed around Rs 1,405 crore to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows & disabled persons. Each beneficiary has received an ex-gratia cash of Rs 500 under the scheme as the first instalment. Another instalment of Rs 500 each will be paid in next month.
Building and other Construction workers
Around 2.17 crore building and construction workers have received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers’ Fund managed by state governments. The beneficiaries received Rs 3,497crore till now.
