‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ for migrants: Nirmala Sitharaman

Unveiling the second tranche of Centre’s Rs 20 lakh crore fiscal stimulus, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today made a set of significant announcements exclusively for the migrant workers, street vendors, and small farmers.

Saying that PDS ration cards will be made portable, allowing migrant workers to use their ration cards across states, she said adding this would benefit 83 percent of PDS beneficiaries, in 23 states by August. “By March 2021, 100 percent coverage under 'One Nation One Ration Card' will be done,” she added.

Also read: Over 50 migrant workers walk back to Assam from Haryana after thrown out by employers

Private sector employees will get a boost to their take-home salaries and small and medium-sized will be offered Rs 3 lakh crore in collateral-free bank loans, Nirmala Sitharaman had announced on Wednesday, detailing parts of the government's Rs 20 lakh crore COVID-19 economic relief plan.

Here are some of the announcements:

• Free Food Grains - 8 crore people approximately will benefit and the government has allocated 3,500 crores. This will be enacted by state governments and will be valid for the next 3 months.
• The One Nation One Ration Card is already rolled out 83% so far and will be 100% by March 2021.
• Under PM Awas Yojana, a scheme will start for the rental housing scheme, where institutions and associations will be asked to make affordable rental housing accommodation on their premises. Also, the government will make affordable housing for urban poor, laborers, and migrants in all states and UTs.

Also read: COVID-19: PM-CARES Fund Trust allocates Rs 3100 crore for ventilators, migrants

• Sishu loans under MUDRA - for smallest loan takers. Loans of up to 50,000 rupees or lesser - all borrowers will have a 2 percent interest subversion rate. This will benefit roughly 3 crore people who are beneficiaries under the MUDRA Shishu category.
• Rs 5,000 crore special credit facility benefit for street vendors. The scheme will be launched within 1 month. This will benefit 50 lakh street vendors across states and UTs.
• Rs 600 crore fund for the boost to tribal sector work.
• For small and marginal farmers, an additional Rs 30,000 crore to the existing 90,000 crore under NABARD. This will help especially in the Rabi season. This will benefit 3 crore farmers.
• Nearly 2 lakh crore concessional credit boost for 2.5 crore farmers do not have Kisan credit card, they will benefit.
• 12,000 self-help groups across India have produced over 3 crore masks, 1,20,000 litres of hand sanitiser.
• 44 labour laws have been reduced to four codes.
• Portability of welfare benefits for migrants also being discussed in parliament. We want to make sure of ESIC coverage.

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