The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus or COVID 19 as a pandemic which has taken lives of so many people around the world. Originated from China’s Wuhan, the virus has spread over 188 countries claiming lives of more than 15000 people worldwide.
Central Government led by PM Narendra Modi and respective state governments are announcing government schemes and initiatives for tackling the economic effects of Coronavirus in India.
Novel Coronavirus Treatment under Ayushman Bharat
On 24 March 2020, PM Modi had announced a complete lockdown in India till 14 April 2020. Until then, there were more than 500 suspicious cases of COVID 19 in India and the death toll has been increased to 8.
Looking at the effects of this novel coronavirus on the economy, the government announced a few policies and schemes for the people. In this article, we will learn about those policies and schemes initiated by the Govt.
Central Govt Schemes for Coronavirus in India
SBI will provide lifetime emergency credit to COVID19-hit borrowers
State Bank of India (SBI) will furnish emergency loans to current borrowers whose undertakings are affected by Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) at 7.25% p.a fixed rate of interest. This ad-hoc loan facility is called as COVID-19 Emergency Credit Line (CECL). CECL facility will cover the interim liquidity mismatch arising out of COVID-19.
The scheme will come in action from June 30, 2020, and the utmost loan amount is Rs 200 crore. All standard accounts as on March 16, 2020, and till the date of the embargo are eligible.
However, standard accounts which are categorized as Special Mention Accounts – SMA 1 (overdue between 30-60 days) and SMA 2 (overdue between 61-90 days) are not eligible for benefiting credit facility.
This loan facility shall be made accessible as Fund Based Limits only. The loans will have to be repaid in six equated monthly instalments after a suspension duration of six months from the date of disbursement of the loan.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing
Another Central govt scheme for Coronavirus in India, PLI ratifies sum of Rs 6,940 crores for increasing domestic manufacturing and stimulate huge investments in mobile phone manufacturing and stipulated electronic components comprising Assembling, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units.
PLI Scheme is going to boost accumulative sales of Rs 46,400 crore and substantial additional job generation over 8 years.
Scheme to Boost Manufacturing of APIs & Medical Devices in India
The central govt. authorized package for Coronavirus affected people in India in order to fight Coronavirus with an expenditure of Rs 13,760 crores. This scheme will increase the domestic generation of bulk drugs (9,940 cr) and medical equipment (3,820) in the country as well as will be available for exports.
The scheme on the Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks
Cabinet authorizes Rs 3,000 crores for Coronavirus affected people in India for the next 5 years for Scheme on Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks to fund civil infrastructure establishments in 3 bulk drug parks situated in various parts of the country.
Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme Interest / Penalty Waived
The government has prolonged the deadline for resolving tax disputes because of Coronavirus in India under the Vivad Se Vishwaas scheme without paying any interest and liability, from March 31, 2020, to 30 June 2020.
Aadhar-PAN Linking Date Extended
The central govt. has prolonged the deadline for linking of Aadhaar Card with PAN Card till 30 June 2020 because of the Coronavirus in India.
Deadline of Filing Income Tax Return (ITR) Extended
The government has also prolonged the deadlines of filing an income tax return (ITR) for FY 2018-19 from the current 31 March 2020 deadline to June 30, 2020, because of the Coronavirus in India. For FY 2018-19, halted payment for tax payments has been curtailed from 12% to 9%. No expansion, for delayed TDS deposit has been reduced from 18% to 9%.
No Minimum Balance for Bank Account
In order to avoid mass gatherings because of the Coronavirus in India at the bank, govt. has declared that people are not expected to retain any least balance in their bank accounts. This judgment would be associated with all banks in India. In case a person does not have a minimum balance in their bank accounts, then no interest would be charged for this duration.
Unlimited Transactions from Other Bank ATMs
Coronavirus affected people in India can now relinquish money from nearby ATMs without any additional charges irrespective of banks.
Unlimited Transactions from Other Bank ATMs
Government has now removed the transaction limit on withdrawing money from other ATMs. Due to the lockdown, and ensure less movement, people can now withdraw money from any nearby ATMs without paying any additional charges.
Direct Benefit Transfer to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Beneficiaries
The Central Government of India has transferred Rs. 5,125 crore amount to bank accounts of 8 crore beneficiaries of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Interest Subsidy on Crop Loans for Farmers
Farmers will not have to pay any penal interest and can continue getting the benefit of short term crop loans at a 4% interest rate.
The Government of India has decided to continue with the availability of 2% interest subvention to banks and 3% prompt repayment incentive to farmers.
State Government Schemes for Coronavirus
Besides the above-mentioned schemes by the central government, the state governments have also launched various schemes for the people of its respective states.
Odisha
Rice to 5 Lakh Poor People
Food Supply and Coronavirus welfare department approves inclusion of 5 lakh new beneficiaries under Odisha Food Security Scheme.
In this scheme, govt. will provide rice at a subsidized price of Rs. 1 per Kg to poor people.
Odisha Accommodation / Food / Medical Care initiative
The state govt. will develop quarantine facilities and arrange temporary accommodation, food and medical care for the people sheltered in quarantine camps. Odisha govt. will also set up additional testing labs and procure essential equipment to deal with the situation.
Dry Ration To Students
School and Mass Education department announced that dry ration will be given to students of Class 1st to 8th of government and government-aided schools for the next 90 days through Fair Price Shops / PDS outlets
- For Class 1st to 5th, dry ration of 3 kg rice per month
- For Class 6th to 8th, dry ration of 4.5 kg rice per month
For this purpose, headmaster of each school will give a coupon to parents/ guardians certifying that the student is a bonafide student of the school.
Bihar
Old Age / Widow / Disabled Pension for Next 3 months in advance
Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar announced 3 months advance pension to all pension holders covered under the following schemes.
- Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension (Old Age)
- Divyang Pension (Persons with Disabilities)
- Vidhwa (Widow) Pension Scheme
Incentives to Govt. Doctors & Health Employees
All the government doctors and health employees will be paid an incentive equivalent to their one month’s basic pay.
Rs. 1,000 to All Ration Card Holder Families
All ration cardholder families will get one month’s ration free of cost. Rs. 1,000 per family will be given to all ration cardholder families residing in all lockdown areas.
This amount will be transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme.
Bihar Corona Tatkal Sahayata App
All those Biharis who are stuck outside the state in other parts of the country will now get Rs. 1,000.
For this purpose, people need to make registration at Bihar Corona Tatkal Sahayata App.
Accordingly, the govt. will transfer the amount into their bank accounts through DBT mode from CM Relief Fund.
Delhi
Free Ration for PDS Beneficiaries
All beneficiaries under the public distribution system (PDS) will get free and additional ration for one month. Around 18 lakh families will be covered under the scheme.
Free Ration to Delhi Ration Scheme Beneficiaries
Delhi govt. will provide 50% more quantity i.e 7.5 kg instead of a fixed quota of 5 kg free rations to 72 lakh beneficiaries attached to Delhi Ration Scheme for 1 month. The ration will be provided free of cost.
Delhi govt. has started transporting 7.5 kg of extra ration for the city’s 7.2 million beneficiaries through its fair price shops.
Till date, around 1,000 fair price shops have been covered while remaining 2,300 fair price shops would be covered soon (expected till 31 March 2020).
2 Times Free Food to Homeless at Night Shelters
The state government will also provide free food twice a day to the homeless at night shelters. This offer would not be restricted to occupants of those facilities.
Free Lunch and Dinner would be given at 220-night shelters for each person.
Widow / Disabled / Old Age Pension Amount Doubled
The state govt. has doubled the pension amount for widow, old age and disability pension scheme. Delhi government on 28 March 2020 started disbursing old-age pensions for nearly half-a-million beneficiaries at twice the usual rate for the current month.
For people above 65 years age, who are entitled a monthly pension of around Rs. 2, 250 under a government scheme, the amount had been doubled to around Rs. 4,500 for the present month.
Rs. 5,000 to Construction Workers
The state govt. of Delhi will now provide Rs. 5,000 to each construction worker to enable them to sustain their livelihood.
Kerala
Medical Assistance to SC / ST Person
In case any SC / ST person is put under surveillance, essential medical assistance will be given through district administration or local self-government.
Protein Rich Food Kits to Senior Citizens in Tribal Areas
All the individuals in tribal settlements who are above 60 years of age, will be given special protein-rich food kits.
The kit will contain 500 grams of beans, 500 grams Bengal grams, 500 grams jaggery, 500 grams coconut oil and 2 kilograms of wheat.
Those who lose their jobs will be ensured jobs under the MGNREGA Scheme.
Free Ration Scheme
The state govt. has provided free ration to 14.5 lakh beneficiaries on the first day (2 April 2020) of ration distribution. The total quantity of rice distributed on a single day equals 21,472 metric tons.
Health workers and representatives in local bodies intervened effectively in this process. Free ration distribution to continue till 20 April 2020.
Strict action will be taken if there is any non-congruence in the quantity of rice supplied. Arrangements have been made to deliver rice at the homes of Endosulfan victims.
Uttar Pradesh
Cash Transfer for MGNREGA workers – UP govt. has transferred Rs. 611 crore into 27.5 lakh bank accounts of MGNREGA workers on 30 March 2020.
Rs. 1,000 p.m to Daily Wage Workers
Rs. 1000 each will be given to 15 lakh daily wage labourers and 20.37 lakh construction workers to help them meet their daily needs in UP. This financial aid would be provided to 35 lakh daily wage workers under Shramik Bharan-Poshan Yojana.
Free Ration to Antyodaya Scheme Beneficiaries
Free ration which includes 20 kg of wheat and 15 kg of rice is to be provided to more than 1.65 crore beneficiaries of Antyodaya Scheme.
Disbursement of Quarterly Pension to Old Age / Widow / Disabled
The state govt. of UP will start disbursement of quarterly pension to 83.83 lakh old age, widow and persons with disabilities.
Gujarat
Free Ration
Around 60 lakh ration card holders in Gujarat will now get free food items to ensure poor people not remain hungry during COVID-19 lockdown.
Tamil Nadu
Rs. 1,000, Free Rice, Sugar to All Ration Card Holders
The state govt. will provide Rs. 1000 to all ration card holders, free rice, sugar and other essential commodities.
In order to avoid long queues, all the commodities will be issued on a token basis as announced by Tamilnadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.
1 Month Extra Salary
TN govt. will provide a 1-month extra salary to doctors, nurses and all those who attend to Coronavirus patients.
COVID Relief and Development Scheme
This scheme will benefit around 2,000 MSME units who have availed loans from the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC). The scheme would be implemented with a fund of Rs. 200 crore.
Moratorium for Crop / House Loans
CM has also announced 3-month moratorium (till June 30) for repayment of instalments for crop loans, house loans etc. and payment of certain charges for the following categories:
- Payment of wealth tax, water tax to local bodies
- Repayment of instalments for the crop loans availed from cooperative institutions
- Repayment of instalments for cooperative housing societies and Tamil Nadu Housing Board
- Repayment of instalments for the loans availed from all fishermen cooperative societies and handloom cooperative societies
- Repayment of loans availed by MSME units from Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation
- Repayment of soft loans availed by industrial units from SIPCOT
- Payment of Maintenance Charge by industrial units which function in SIPCOT Industrial Parks
- Renewal of Licence and FC for Vehicles
- Renewal of licences under Weights and Measures Act, TN Shops and Establishment Act and Dangerous and Offence Act
Chhattisgarh
2 Months Free Rice to All Ration Card Holders
CG govt. has decided to provide 2 months free rice to all ration cardholders. Each family will get 35-35 kg rice absolutely free of cost to sustain their lives during “complete lockdown” in India till 14 April 2020.
Jharkhand
CM Kitchen Scheme
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren starts CM Kitchen Scheme in Ranchi. In this scheme, govt. will serve food to 5,000 people every day.
Meals would be transported from the city to villages in trains.
West Bengal
Rs. 1000 for Daily Wage Labourers
The state govt. is going to provide Rs. 1,000 for daily wage workers to sustain their life during the lockdown period.
Maharashtra
Cash Transfer to Daily Wage Workers
The Maharashtra government plans to provide cash transfers to labourers earning wages daily to reduce the economic harm that lockdowns will inflict on the force.
Sources said that a proposal to provide direct bank transfers for construction workers and financial package for industries is being reviewed.
Meals to Poor People
The state govt. will now provide meals thali under Shiv Bhojan Yojana at just Rs. 5 for 1 lakh people daily for the next 3 months.
COVID-19 Treatment for Poor
The treatment for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) would be covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).
Relief Package for Dairy Farmers
Maharashtra govt. announced Rs. 200 crore relief package for dairy farmers who are facing losses with most dairies cut down on collected by 25% to 30%.
The govt. will buy 10 lakh litres of surplus milk from farmers at Rs. 25 / litre. This procured milk will be converted into skimmed milk powder or ghee to be sold in the market.
Karnataka
2 Months Social Security Pension in Advance
The state govt. of Karnataka will provide social security pension of two months in advance for the poor people.
Additional Working Days Payment under MGNREGA
Karnataka govt. will release additional working days amount in advance under MNREGA scheme and two months ration will be supplied immediately.
2 Months Ration Supply for Poor
Poor people can now avail 2 months ration which would be supplied immediately to all ration cardholders.
Rs. 1,000 for Construction Workers
The state govt. will provide Rs. 1,000 per person to around 21 lakh construction workers.
Loan Waiver under Badavara Bandhu Scheme
In Badavara Bandhu (interest-free loan to roadside vendors) scheme, govt. has decided to waive Rs 13.20 crore loans.
This includes Rs. 9.10 crore in 2018-19 to benefit 15,120 people and Rs 5.16 crore in 2019-20 to benefit 6,500 people.
Mizoram
Free Ration
Mizoram govt. has announced to provide free ration to all the economically underprivileged families.
Haryana
Salary of Health Workers Doubled
The state govt. has doubled the salary of all health workers such as doctors, paramedical staff and Asha workers.
State Wise Helpline Numbers for Coronavirus
The central govt. helpline number for corona-virus is +91-11-23978046.
The state wise list of helpline numbers to tackle Coronavirus are mentioned in the table below:-
Helpline Numbers of States & Union Territories (UTs)
| Name of the State | Helpline Nos. |
| Andhra Pradesh | 0866-2410978 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 9436055743 |
| Assam | 6913347770 |
| Bihar | 104 |
| Chhattisgarh | 104 |
| Goa | 104 |
| Gujarat | 104 |
| Haryana | 8558893911 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 104 |
| Jharkhand | 104 |
| Karnataka | 104 |
| Kerala | 0471-2552056 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 0755-2527177 |
| Maharashtra | 020-26127394 |
| Manipur | 3852411668 |
| Meghalaya | 108 |
| Mizoram | 102 |
| Nagaland | 7005539653 |
| Odisha | 9439994859 |
| Punjab | 104 |
| Rajasthan | 0141-2225624 |
| Sikkim | 104 |
| Tamil Nadu | 044-29510500 |
| Telangana | 104 |
| Tripura | 0381-2315879 |
| Uttarakhand | 104 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 18001805145 |
| West Bengal | 1800313444222, 03323412600 |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 03192-232102 |
| Chandigarh | 9779558282 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | 104 |
| Delhi | 011-22307145 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 01912520982, 0194-2440283 |
| Ladakh | 01982256462 |
| Lakshadweep | 104 |
| Puducherry | 104 |
For more details, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at https://mohfw.gov.in/