8.19 Crore Farmers Got Rs 16,394 Crore As One-Time Transfer; Over Rs 10,000 Crore Given To 20 Crore Women: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday (17 May) held her fifth press conference to announce the last tranche of economic stimulus package and reforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India campaign).

While addressing the media persons, FM Sitharaman said as many as 8.19 crore farmers across the country had been given one-time monetary aid of Rs 2,000. Total amount distributed to farmers under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package amid COVID-19 crisis was Rs 16,394 crore, the FM informed.

Other than farmers, National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) beneficiaries such as elders, widows, and people with special abilities also received Rs 1,405 crore in first instalment and Rs 1,402 crore in second instalment, and the target of nearly Rs 3,000 was achieved through this.

“#PradhanMantriGaribKalyanPackage used technology to do direct benefit transfer to people, we could do what we did because of the initiatives taken during the last few years,” the FM said.

Sitharaman also said that as many as 20 crore Jan Dhan account holding women got a total sum of Rs 10,025 crore as part of government’s financial assistance, while also mentioning other measures taken up by the government.

“20 crore Jan Dhan account holding women got Rs 10, 025 crore. 2.2 crore building and construction workers got Rs 3,950 crore. 6.81 crore people got free LPG cylinders. 12 lakh EPFO holders got online withdrawal of advance,” she said.

The Finance Minister has been conducting regular press conferences to announce major reforms relief packages in various sector.