Amravati, May 1, 2020

The Government announced nation-wide lockdown on March 24 to break the chain of Covid-19 spread. Farmers, labourers and vulnerable sections of the society are the most affected due to lockdown.

In view of this, Central government’s priority was to ease the hardships of such vulnerable sections and accordingly the government announced a Rs 1.72 lakh crore relief package under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana on March 26, 2020.

People across the country are getting benefits of this package and schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhanmantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana, have come in handy for poor to tide over the situation.

Beneficiaries in the village Anjangaon Bari in Daryapur Taluka of Amravati district have expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the benefits they have received under these schemes.

Marotrao Khadse, who works as a labourer received five kilogram rice during lockdown. “I am grateful to the government for easing the hardships faced during the lockdown by poor people like me”.

 

Vasant Sonar, a marginal farmer received Rs. 2000 on April 13, under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Scheme. This came as a helping hand for his livelihood and farming activities.

 

Sharad Ladekar, another resident has also got five kilograms of rice during lockdown to support his daily needs.

Around 8.89 crore farmer families across the country have benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Scheme till April 20, 2020. Also, Rs. 17,793 crore has been deposited into the accounts of farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer till April 20, 2020. During the same month, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Scheme, 19.63 lakh metric tonne ration has been distributed to 39.27 crore beneficiaries covered under 1.19 crore ration cards.

Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan account, 20.5 crore women in the country are getting Rs 500 assistance each during lockdown. Total of Rs.10,025 crore has been deposited into the Jan Dhan accounts till April 22, 2020.

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PIB Nagpur / D. Wankhede/ R. Aghor

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