On Sunday, 17th May, 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the 5th tranche of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” (“Self-reliant India Campaign”).
It focused on 7 steps about MGNREGS, Health (Rural and Urban) and Education related, businesses and COVID-19, Decriminalization of Companies Act, Ease of Doing Business, Public Sector Enterprises related steps and state governments and related resources.
With addressing a press conference today, the Finance Minister said that the government will allocate an additional ₹ 40,000 crores to MGNREGA in order to help workers during monsoon.
FM Sitharaman said that “Considering that Monsoon is approaching and migrant workers are heading home because of the corona-virus-induced lockdown, the additional allocation will ensure jobs for them in rural areas.
The move will also help in the creation of a larger number of durable and livelihood assets including water conservation assets, which, in turn, will boost the rural economy through higher production.
Here are some key highlights of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat:
- Health-related steps that have been taken: PM has released ₹ 15000 crore, insurance cover of ₹ 50 lakh per person for health professional was announced, made sure tele-medicine comes into play, Epidemic Diseases Act was amended for protection of health care workers, and Capacity building exercises have been taken up.
- States have so far borrowed only 14% of the limit authorized 86% of the authorized limit remains unutilized. In view of the unprecedented situation, Centre has decided to increase the borrowing limits of states from 3% to 5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY 2020-21 only. This will give states extra resources of ₹ 4.28 lakh crore.
- Appreciation the role of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT). Sitharaman said that “20 crore Jan Dhan accounts holding women got ₹ 10,025 crores, 2.2 crore building, and construction workers got ₹ 3,950 crores, 6.81 crore people got free LPG cylinders and 12 lakh EPFO holders benefited from non-refundable advance.”
- Under PM Kisan, 8.15 crore farmers received ₹ 2000 each, making an impact of ₹ 16394 crores.
- NSAP beneficiaries received the first installment of ₹ 1405 crore and the second installment of ₹ 1402 crore target of ₹ 3,000 crore nearly achieved – FM Sitharaman.
- The scheme will be notified by the Department of Expenditure for specific tasks.Part of the borrowing by states will be linked to specific reforms. From 3% to 3.5%, the 0.5% will be an unconditional increase. Next 1% in 4 tranches of 0.25%, with each tranche linked to specified, measurable, and feasible reform actions. Last 0.5% will be given if milestones are achieved in at least three out of the four reform areas.
- When the lockdown was extended, free grains and daal were given for the next 2 months.
- Finance Minister: Shramik Special Trains were started when it was possible for workers to move, states were requested to bring workers to stations, 85% cost was borne by central government.
- Finance Minister: 44% recovery has been achieved since the inception of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). During COVID-19, we made sure that industries do not suffer.
- Devolution of ₹ 46,038 crore in April as taxes, as per the Budgetary estimates. Revenue deficit grants of ₹ 12,390 crores were given to states in time in April & May despite the Centre’s stressed resources.
- The funds under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) were released in advance of ₹ 11,092 crore in the first week of April. And the Health Ministry released over ₹ 4,113 crore for direct anti-COVID activities.
- One nation one digital facility under DIKSHA for school education. One marked TV channel for every class and Extensive use of radio with Special e-content for Divyang children.
- Finance Minister: 200 new textbooks have been added to e-Pathshala, states, provision has been made for a telecast of live interactive sessions for teachers and students, states are coordinating to share educational air-time.
- Top 100 universities will be allowed to automatically start online courses by 30th May, 2020. An initiative to extend psycho-social support to students, teachers, and families for mental health and emotional well-being to be launched immediately, known as MANODARPAN.
- Technology-driven education to be the focus on the PM e-VIDYA program for multi-mode access to digital/online education to be launched immediately.
- Online education has been taken up in a big way SWAYAM PRABHA DTH channels to support and reach those who do not have access to the internet. Provision made for a telecast of Live interactive sessions.
- No fresh insolvency to be initiated for one year.
- The minimum threshold to initiate insolvency proceedings raised to ₹ 1 crore from ₹ 1 lakh to benefit MSMEs.
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