India is currently in a 21-day complete coronavirus lockdown. As non-essential businesses have shut, the government has announced a package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore to help the economy at a press conference today. Business Today quoted Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying,
In addition, the weaker sections of society will get 5 kg of rice or wheat per household free for 3 months, farmers’ accounts will be credited with Rs.2000 immediately, senior citizens, widows, and Divyangs will get a direct transfer of Rs.1000 for 3 months and BPL families will get free cylinders, reports Financial Express.
On Tuesday, she had extended the date for filing income tax & GST returns as well as Aadhaar-PAN linking date. News18 reports that the minimum balance requirement fee and ATM cash withdrawal charges have been done away with for 3 months.
We hope that the underprivileged don’t go hungry, aren’t strapped for funds and can sustain themselves by availing the benefits of this package.