INDIA FIGHTS ECONOMIC EPIDEMIC
~1.7L-cr plan launched; rural wages raised; higher food transfers; cash for women; relaxation on PF
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday announced a ~170,000 crore package under a new scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKBY), to address the immediate economic distress in the wake of the lockdown prompted by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, and ensure food and cash reaches the marginalised segments of society.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at a press conference in the Capital, announced a series of measures which focused on additional food transfers at no cost, cash for vulnerable segments, concessions on government schemes aimed to help households reduce their expenditure, and support those on the frontline of the battle against the pandemic. The primary beneficiaries of these measures include those below the poverty line, farmers, women, elderly citizens, the physically challenged, construction workers, and workers in both the unorganised and organised sectors.
Sitharaman underlined that within 36 hours of the lockdown — Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed a national lockdown for three weeks on Tuesday night — the government had come up with measures to immediately take care of welfare concerns of the poor. She, however, did not address questions about the fiscal implications of the scheme, or announce measures for other sectors which have also got severely affected in the wake of the restrictions and the lockdown. There has been a talk of a stimulus aimed at businesses, large and small, as well as salaried individuals, but there was no mention of this during Thursday’s conference — nor any indication as to when one such package could be expected.
Sitharaman announced a medial insurance cover of ~50 lakh per person for doctors, health care personnel and sanitation staff, acknowledging their contribution at this crisis hour.
The PMGKY had two broad components: the first was centred on ensuring food availability and support; and the second, on income support.
On food, Sitharaman said 800 million people — two-thirds of the country’s population — would now be eligible for, in addition to the existing allocation of five kg of wheat or rice, another five kg of wheat or rice per month, for the next three months, for free. They will also get one kg of pulses, according to the specific regional variant of the pulse in their geographical area, in this period. “This is meant to ensure that no one stays hungry,” emphasised Sitharaman.
In terms of direct financial support, the FM announced support under eight distinct categories using the direct benefits
› Since the lockdown has been in force... we have come out with a package which will immediately take care of the concerns and welfare of poor and suffering workers and those who need immediate help NIMALA SITHARAMAN, finance minister
transfer framework.
The first was targeted at farmers who get direct cash support of ₹6,000 annually under the PM-Kisan scheme. Sitharaman said that the next instalment of the money — ₹2000 — would be “front-loaded” and given immediately. “This will benefit 86.9 million farmers,” said the FM.
The second was for workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS). From a daily wage of ₹182, they will now be entitled to get ₹202. “It will help increase the income to ₹2,000 per worker,” said Sitharaman.
The third measure was for economically poor widows, citizens above the age of 60, and the physically challenged. “They will get an ex-gratia amount of ₹1,000. The measure will benefit 30 million poor citizens,” the FM said. The amount is to be given in two instalments.
The fourth measure was targeted at women who held Jan Dhan Accounts. “There are 200 million women Jan Dhan account holders. The government will give them ₹500 per month, for three months, to ensure they can run their households in this period of disruption.”
A related announcement was for the beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala scheme, in which over 83 million households got gas cylinders. “For three months, these households will get free cylinders.” Anecdotal evidence suggests that many households have found the cost of refilling their gas cylinders burdensome. Minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur, sitting alongside Sitharaman, underlined that with these measures, the government was seeking to ensure that poor families had access to food, to incomes, and to cooking gas.
The fifth measure was targeted at women self-help groups (SHGs). Sitharaman pointed out that there were 6.3 million SHGs in the country, with members from 70 million households being members of these groups. “They were eligible for collateral-free loan up to ₹10 lakh till now. This amount will now go up to ₹20 lakh. Self-help groups are eligible for increased collateral free loans, which will give more money in their hands,” said the finance minister.
The sixth measure was targeted at organised workers. This had two components. The government, the FM announced, would contribute both the share of the employee and the employer of the Employer Provident Fund for the next three months. “The government will give both the 12% share of the employees, and the 12% share of the employers — so a total of 24% per month for three months, to ensure there is no break in the continuity of EPFO contributions. This will apply to establishments which have fewer than 100 employees, and where 90% of the employees earn less than ₹15,000 per month.”
The second inter-related measure was the government’s decision to amend the provident fund regulation scheme, to allow employees to withdraw, on a non refundable advance basis, 75% of the amount, or up to three months of wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts.
The seventh announcement was for construction workers. The FM said that there already existed a fund for the welfare of construction and other workers. This had, at the moment, ₹31,000 crore and 35 million workers were registered under it. “We have given directions to state governments to utilise the funds to provide assistance to construction workers to protect them.”
And the final announcement was with regard to district mineral funds, with the FM requesting state governments to utilise these funds to supplement medical testing and screening activities to fight the coronavirus.
Congress parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi said the government’s announcement “of a financial assistance package” is the first step in the right direction. “...India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown,” he tweeted.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said the measures were similar to what states have already announced. “Centre takes cue from relief plans already rolled out by state governments like West Bengal a week ago— free six months ration for the poor, health insurance for champion frontliners fighting corona and ~1000 for daily wagers under new Prochesta scheme,” he said, adding that the Centre’s move will supplement state efforts.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that ~1,000 to the aged, widows, differently abled, is too little; and that the health workers’ insurance comes at no cost to the government.
Experts welcomed the announcement of income support to farmers. But its implementation may confront challenges. Aadhaar-based enrolment and cash transfers, slow internet connections in many rural centres and messy land records have slowed the PM-Kisan programme, the farm ministry had told a parliamentary panel in January.
Deloitte India partner Gokul Chaudhri hoped for a larger comprehensive economic stimulus package and said the efficient implementation of the ~1.7 lakh crore relief for the poor is the key. “The first set of measures rightly focused on basic welfare for the weaker section of society. The concerns of other stakeholders in society, such as those impacted in tourism, aviation and hospitality sector is awaited.”
Confederation of Indian Industry director general Chandrajit Banerjee said, “The entire package is expected to alleviate the difficulties currently being faced by the poor and the distressed. However, the government could be more aggressive in its spending with an overall fiscal stimulus at 2.5-3% of GDP if the disruptions continue for the next three months.”
Experts also said the 24% relief for employees’ provident fund (EPF) contribution is a measure to dissuade retrenchments. Richa Mohanty Rao, partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said, “In the midst of such uncertain times, the decision of the government to bear the provident fund cost under the EPF Act for three months, will provide much needed relief to both employers as well as the employees. However, this initiative will largely benefit the MSME (medium and small enterprises) sector.”
The Sensex rallied over 5% in anticipation of a comprehensive economic stimulus package ahead of the finance minister’s press conference, but lost some of the gains immediately after the announcement to close at 29,947, 4.9% up.