The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today addressed a press conference at 1pm. This media brief was her second address this week. The announcements made during the press conference were especially dedicated to the urban-rural poor and daily-waged labourers .
Highlights of Nirmala Sitharaman’s press conference :
2:12pm: Banking services are now a part of the essential services and will remain operational all throughout the lockdown as Direct Benefit Transfers will put a lot of pressure on banks: FM
2:07pm: Today’s measures are aimed at people who are immediate need of food, money and cooking gas: FM Sitharaman.
2:05pm: These announcements will be implemented immediately: FM Sitharaman.
2:01pm: I request state governments to utilise district mineral funds for coronavirus testing and medicines: FM Sitharaman
1:58pm: Workers’ welfare fund of Rs 31,000 crore will be utilised for construction workers. We are planning to direct state governments to assist 3.5 crore construction workers to this end: FM Sitharaman
1:53pm: This will help in benefiting 4.8 crore workers — The PF scheme regulations will be amended due to coronavirus and will allow employees to draw non-refundable advance of 75 percent of amount standing to credit or three months wages, whichever is lower: FM Sitharaman
1:50pm: Under Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan, governmentt will pay the EPF contribution for both employer and employee for the next 3 months. This is for establishments with upto 100 employees where 90 per cent earn less than Rs 15,000 per month: FM Sitharaman
1:48pm: Under National Rural Livelihood Mission scheme collateral loans will be doubled to Rs 20 lakh for women: FM Sitharaman
1:45pm: Ujjwala Scheme women will be given free cylinders for the next 3 months. This will benefit 8.3 crore BPL families: FM Sitharaman
1:44pm: Women Jan Dhan account holders will receive Rs 500 in their accounts so that they can take care of their households. This will happen for the next 3 months: FM
1:42pm: The Finance Minister said that 8.69 crore farmers will be immediately benefited through Direct cash transfers. Installment of Rs 2000 in the first week of April will be transferred.
1:40pm: Per person 5kg rice or 5kg wheat for free for 3 months will be given; 1kg of pulse per household as per as per regional preference: FM Sitharaman
1:39pm: Rs 2,000 to be transferred in first week of April to farmers: FM Sitharaman
1:38pm: Cash transfer to benefit
- 1. Farmer:
- 2.MNREGA
- 3.Widows/Pensioners
- 4. Jan Dhan Yojana
- 5. Ujwala Scheme
- 6. Self Help Women Groups
- 7. Organised Sector Workers (EPFO)/ Construction workers
1:35pm: The Finance Minister Sitharaman announces 5kg of rice or wheat free of cost for the needy.
1:30pm: “No one will go hungry. The Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Scheme package is worth Rs 1.7 lakh crore”: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
1:26pm: Finance Minister thanks all the front line workers and expresses her gratitude to ASHA workers, doctors, sanitary workers, para-medics. She announces an insurance cover for them of Rs 50 lakh per person.
1:20pm: Government is working to help those who are affected, especially migrant workers. We have come with a welfare package to help poor and the ones who need immediate help: FM Sitharaman.
12:40pm: Ministry of Finance announced that the Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman will hold a press conference at 1pm
