Cabinet Approves Rs 6.29 Lakh Crore Relief Package For Pandemic-Hit Sectors

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 6.29 lakh crore relief package for Coronavirus pandemic affected sectors.

Two days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Rs 6.29 lakh crore relief package for Coronavirus pandemic affected sectors, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for it. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar informed media persons after the cabinet meeting that the Government has approved the entire package which consists of free food grains supply to the poor which has been extended till November 2021. This alone entails an expenditure of Rs 93,869 crore. Apart from this, the package also covers Rs 14,775 crore fertiliser subsidy and Rs 23,220 crore of additional funding to set up paediatric care facilities at hospitals to strengthen the health infrastructure.  A major part of the stimulus package is the Government's guarantee to banks for loans to be given to various sectors which have been affected by the pandemic. This includes provision of an additional Rs 1.5 lakh crore for emergency credit line guarantee scheme.