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New Delhi: The government has disbursed more than Rs 29,352 crore so far under the PMGKP (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package) announced in March to ensure availability of basic amenities to the poor during the Coronavirus lockdown. As on April 13, 32.32 crore beneficiaries have been directly given cash support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), amounting to Rs 29,352 crore under the package.
Around 5.29 crore beneficiaries have received a free ration of foodgrains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana and 97.8 lakh free Ujjwala cylinders have been delivered, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday. In order to ensure that weaker sections of society continue to get the basic amenities and do not get impacted during the lockdown period due to Coronavirus, Rs 1.70 lakh crore PMGKP was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26 to protect such people from the impact of the lockdown.
As part of PMGKP, the government announced free foodgrains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers. The implementation of the package is being continuously monitored by the Central and state governments.
The government is employing DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) for swift and efficient transfer of benefits to people. This has also ensured credit to the beneficiary's account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the branch.
So far, 20.11 lakh MT of foodgrains have been lifted by 31 states/UTs under PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana), out of 40 lakh MT for April. At least 2.65 lakh MT has been distributed by 16 states/UT to 5.29 crore beneficiaries covered by 1.19 crore ration cards as April 2020 entitlement. At least 3985 MT of pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs.
A total of 1.39 crore cylinders have been booked under PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) so far and 97.8 lakh PMUY free cylinders have already been delivered to beneficiaries.
Around 2.1 lakh members of EPFO have availed online withdrawal of Rs 510 crore so far, the statement said. EPF contribution for three months — payment of 24 percent of wages as the contribution to EPFO members drawing wages below Rs 15,000 per month in establishments with up to 100 workers.
Around Rs 1,000 crore has already been released to EPFO for the scheme for the month of April. At least 78.74 lakh beneficiaries and concerned establishments have been informed. A scheme to implement the announcement finalised and FAQs have been put on the website.
MNREGA
The government notified an increased rate with effect from April 1. In the current financial year, 19.56 lakh persons' man-days of work has been generated and Rs 7,100 crore has been released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage and material.
A new scheme has been operationalised by New India Assurance covering 22.12 lakh health workers at the forefront of the Coronavirus fight.
Of the total disbursement, Rs 14,946 crore has gone towards the payment of the first instalment of PM-KISAN. Under the scheme, nearly 7.47 crore, out of the 8 crore identified beneficiaries, got Rs 2,000 in their accounts directly.
As large number of households in India is largely managed by women, as many as 19.86 crore women Jan Dhan account holders received Rs 500 each in their account. As on April 13, the total disbursement under the head was Rs 9,930 crore.
The NSAP (National Social Assistance Programme) disbursed about Rs 1,400 crore to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons. Each beneficiary received ex-gratia cash of Rs 500 under the scheme as the first instalment. Another instalment of Rs 500 each will be paid during the next month.
As many as 2.17 crore building and construction workers received financial support from the Building and Construction Workers' Fund managed by state governments. Under this Rs 3,071 crore were given to beneficiaries.
