Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the media again today. “Today’s initiatives focuses on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, the self-employed and small farmers,” the finance minister said as she began her address to the media.
On Wednesday, the finance minister had shared details of the package and stated that her team will share more details on ₹20 lakh crore economic package over the next few days.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the announcement that the migrants will get free food grain supply for the next two months.
“Free foodgrain supply to migrants for 2 months now expanded for those who don’t have NFSA or state cards. 5 kg of wheat or rice or 1 kg of chana to be provided,” FM Sitharaman said. She added that about 8 crore migrants are expected to benefit from this.
In addition, one of the major announcements made by Sitharaman was the One nation, one ration card. To benefit migrants, a portal for public ration cards will be set up. It will be usable across states. 67 crore beneficiaries, which is 83% of PDS population, in 23 states will benefit. Finance minister Sitharaman also assured that 100% coverage under the cards will be done by March 2021. She shared that 83% of this is already done.
Additionally, the government will also launch a scheme for affordable rental housing for migrant workers and urban poor. This is to provide ease of living by converting govt funded housing in cities into Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) under PPP mode through concessionaire.
She also added that PDS ration cards will be portable. This will allow migrant workers to use ration cards across states.