Various state governments across India have announced relief measures for the Covid affected people of their respective states. The governments have come up with different schemes for the benefit of the people during these tough times.
On Tuesday Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Delhi government will provide ₹50,000 as ex-gratia to every family that has lost a family member due to Covid-19. And if the person who lost his/her life due to Covid-19 was the sole breadwinner of the family, then the government will provide ₹2,500 per month along with the ex-gratia amount to the family, the Chief Minister added.
For children who have lost both parents – one or both due to Covid-19, education will be free and the government will give the child ₹2500 every month till they are 25 years of age.
“The lockdown that we had to impose because of the virus has led to several challenges. People are losing livelihoods, are running short of food supplies, and if affected with the virus, face problems with respect to hospital admissions. While treatment at government hospitals is free of cost, that’s not the case in private hospitals. People have lost their loved ones, and sometimes, the sole earning member,” said Arvind Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, the Telangana state government on Tuesday asked the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to provide free meals to people during the ongoing lockdown through the 250 Annapurna canteens located in various parts of the city. The free meals programme will continue until further notice. Arvind Kumar, principal secretary (municipal administration), said free food is being supplied on directions of Minister K.T. Rama Rao.
Down South, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government would resume the distribution of free food kits to help people during the lockdown. The government has also bought migrant workers under the scope of the scheme. He said local bodies would start community kitchens to ensure that nobody starved. Volunteers would deliver affordable meals from the Janakeeya Hotels to homes.
The Karnataka government also announced several measures for those affected by the corona virus. The government will take measures to rehabilitate children up to the age of 18 years orphaned by the pandemic, Woman and Child Welfare Minister Shashikala Jolle said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has announced a major relief package to make Rs 10 lakh fixed deposits for the children orphaned in the Covid-19 pandemic. While, the Punjab government announced delivery of free cooked food to financially weak covid-19 patients and a subsistence allowance of ₹3,000 to all registered construction workers amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. These decisions were taken during the state cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
Meanwhile the Odisha Government announced a pension scheme for widows & orphan children. The government said in a statement “Covid has devastated many families in the state. We intend to provide a healing touch to such families by continuing to cover the widows and orphan children under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana. The children will also get free education facilities.”
